Police: The primary suspect from Butler Twp. Shooting leaves Ohio, IDs of four victims released
BUTLER TWP. — Update @ 6 pm:
At a press conference Saturday afternoon, Butler Township Police Chief John Porter provided an update on the investigation into the shooting.
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Vandalia Police Department and Superintendent of Vandalia-Butler Schools.
Porter offered his condolences to the families of the four victims and identified them.
Eva and Clyde Knox were found dead in their home on Hardwick Place, Porter shared. Sarah Anderson and her 15-year-old daughter, Kayla, were also found dead shortly after Porter said.
Kayla is a student at Vandalia-Butler High School.
Superintendent Robert O’Leary said the district is mourning Kayla’s loss, describing her as a friend, loved one and a “ray of light” to many.
Pastors, youth ministers and therapists are available to students who need them, O’Leary said.
Porter said investigators are aware of a video circulating on social media of Stephen Marlowe allegedly taken after the shooting. They did not release details of the video, which they called “disturbing.”
He said investigators believe Marlow left the state of Ohio traveling westbound on I-70. Porter said neighboring states have been alerted.
Porter ends the conference and asks Marlowe to turn himself in and that the investigators are there to help him.
Police reminded the public not to approach Marlowe and to call 911 or 1-800-CALL-FBI if they believe they have found him.
On Friday, Marlowe was charged in Montgomery County with four counts of aggravated murder, and a state warrant was issued for his arrest, the FBI said.
On Saturday, the FBI said a federal arrest warrant had been issued for Marlowe by the United States District Court for the Southern District of Dayton, Ohio, after he was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
Update @12:05 pm:
A police presence remains in the Butler Township neighborhood where four people were shot Friday afternoon.
Police were dispatched to Hardwick Place and Haverstraw Avenue around noon Friday on reports of a shooting, Butler Township Police Chief John Porter said Friday afternoon. Police found several crime scenes and four people who had been shot. They were all pronounced dead at the scene, Porter said.
The victims have been identified by the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office as:
- Clyde Knox, an 82-year-old man
- Eva Knox, a 78-year-old woman
- Sarah Anderson, a 41-year-old woman
The coroner’s office said a 15-year-old girl died in the shooting, but her identity has not been released at this time.
Investigators cordoned off two homes on Hardwick Place with police tape, our crews at the scene said. A third home on Haverstraw Avenue was also blocked off and investigators were seen entering the home.
In a statement, the Butler Township Police Department said they are continuing to investigate the shooting and are being assisted by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Tobacco and Firearms.
>> PHOTOS: 4 dead in Butler Twp shooting Neighborhood
NewsCenter 7’s John Bedell says three Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputy cruisers and a speed trailer are at the corner of Hardwick Place and Haverstraw Avenue in case Stephen Marlow, 39, returns to the area.
He has been identified as the primary suspect after Friday’s shooting in Butler Township.
>> Butler Twp. Deadly shooting: What we learned about the person of interest
The report said Marlowe, of Butler Township, may have left Ohio.
The FBI’s Cincinnati office posted on social media that he has ties to Indianapolis, Chicago and Lexington, and that he may be in one of those cities.
Porter identified Stephen Marlowe, 39, as a person of interest in the shooting. Marlowe is described at 5-foot 11-inches and 160 pounds. He had short brown hair and was last seen wearing shorts and a yellow T-shirt.
He was last seen in a white 2007 Ford Edge with Ohio license plate number JES 9806.
Porter said Marlow should not be approached if found and should be considered armed and dangerous. Call 911 immediately if you see him.
A press release was issued on Saturday at 6 p.m.
This is a growing story. We’ll update this as we learn more.
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