A gunman killed five people and wounded another at a car wash in western Pennsylvania early Sunday morning, authorities said.
Suspect Tim Smith fatally shot William Porterfield, 27, Chelsie Cline, 25, Courtney Snyder, 23, and Seth Cline, 21, at Ed’s Car Wash around 3 a.m. in Melcroft, police said.
Family members of the victims told WXPI-TV the shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute. They also said the suspect used to date one of the victims.
Smith, 28, was on life support at a hospital following the shooting, police said.
Four of the victims died at the scene, roughly 50 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. A fifth victim, who wasn’t identified, later died at a hospital.
A woman who hid in the back seat of a pickup truck during the shooting only suffered minor injuries, authorities said.
The suspected gunman was also shot, a state police spokesman told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Two of those slain were found inside a green pickup truck, one of three cars towed from the car wash, the Post-Gazette reported.
“There is no indication of drug activity at this point,” State Trooper Robert Broadwater told the newspaper. “But we have no motive, no reason.”
Family of the victims tell Channel 11 the shooting of their 5 loved ones at a car wash early Sunday morning in Melcroft Pa, was the result of a domestic. One person is in the hospital.
Police said Smith shot the victims with a semi-automatic rifle and handgun. The victims arrived at the scene in two separate vehicles.
William Porterfield, 27, and Chelsie Cline, 25, arrived in a silver Dodge vehicle, officials said. They were killed inside the vehicle while near the side of the car wash.
Courtney Snyder and Seth Cline were shot and killed in a green pickup truck, according to officials.
One unidentified woman, who was in the rear seat of the pickup truck, took cover and avoided the shooting. Officials said that woman suffered minor injuries from broken glass.
According to police, Smith allegedly arrived at the scene earlier in a red Toyota Tacoma and parked on the side of the car wash. Police said Smith wore a body armor carrier and had several magazines of ammo.
Officials confirmed Smith sustained a gunshot wound to the head and is not expected to survive.
Family told Channel 11 the shooting was a result of a domestic dispute. They said a man who used to date one of the victims opened fire on the group. We are still waiting on an official motive from police.
Family members also said two of the victims were brother and sister.
The shooting happened on Indian Creek Valley Road in Melcroft in Saltlick Township just before 3 a.m., police said.
Officials said all the victims were in their 20s to early 30s.
Indian Creek Valley Road is currently closed while police investigate.
Police have said there is no threat to the community.
