Florida man accused of killing mother and her 3 children is shot dead by police
05/04/2023 11:41 am PDT
LAKE WALES, Fla. (TCD) -- Police fatally shot a 38-year-old man this week who allegedly killed a 40-year-old mother, her 21-year-old son, and her 17-year-old and 11-year-old daughters.
According to a news release from the Lake Wales Police Department, on Tuesday, May 2, at approximately 8:51 p.m., officers responded to Sunrise Apartments on Dawnlight Drive after family members found a mother and her three children deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. Police identified Al Stenson as the suspect and alleged he shot the four victims before fleeing the scene at around 5 a.m.
Lake Wales Police said Stenson likely lived in the same apartment as the victims.
In a press conference held by the Sanford Police Department, Chief Cecil Smith said the 40-year-old mother was allegedly in a romantic relationship with Stenson, but a motive was not released.
In a published update, Lake Wales Police said officials obtained an arrest warrant for Stenson on four counts of first-degree murder. According to the Sanford Police Department, on May 3 at approximately 2:15 a.m., an officer saw Stenson entering a room at the Slumberland Motel in Sanford, and Seminole County Sheriff’s SWAT and Crisis Negotiation Team were called to the scene.
At the motel, Stenson reportedly "made statements that he would kill himself or force law enforcement to kill him."
Following an hourslong standoff with the Crisis Negotiation Team and SWAT, an officer-involved shooting ensued at around 9:30 a.m., and Stenson was pronounced dead.
The investigation is ongoing.
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