Police have arrested and charged a Nebraska man in connection to the deaths of four people in two house fires that authorities initially known as suspicious.
Jason A. Jones, a Laurel resident who lived “proper throughout the road” from one of many hearth scenes, was arrested Friday and charged with first-degree homicide and arson, Nebraska State Patrol public relations director Cody Thomas instructed USA TODAY.
Jones, 42, had burns over a big a part of his physique on the time of his arrest and was flown to a hospital, Bolduc mentioned. He was arrested inside his house, in accordance with the Nebraska State Patrol.
The primary blaze occurred round 3 a.m. Thursday. A 911 caller reported an explosion at a house and when crews obtained there, they found 53-year-old Michele Ebeling lifeless inside.
As crews labored to douse that blaze, a second hearth was reported at a home three blocks away, in accordance with police. Investigators discovered Gene Twiford, 86; Janet Twiford, 85; and Dana Twiford, 55, lifeless inside the home.
Authorities mentioned investigators discovered bodily proof at each crime scenes linked to the suspect. All 4 victims had “suspected gunshot wounds,” in accordance with the state patrol.
Jones has additionally been charged with 4 counts of utilizing a firearm to commit a felony, according to court documents filed in Cedar County, Nebraska obtained by KTIV News.
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Bolduc declined to reply questions on a attainable motive and mentioned there’s nonetheless a “giant quantity of proof to course of.” He added the investigation remains to be in its “early” phases and it’s unknown if there might be extra arrests within the case.
Authorities initially suspected foul play, and Bolduc on Thursday mentioned an accelerant was believed to have been used within the fires.
Police really useful lockdowns for colleges and companies within the space on Thursday. After Jones’ arrest, Bolduc mentioned “there is no such thing as a extra hazard to the Laurel group.”
Contributing: Christal Hayes and Christine Fernando, USA TODAY; The Related Press.