A MAN accused of killing six members of his ex-wifes family, including four kids, deliberately disguised himself as a FedEx delivery man before he shot them in the back of the head execution-style.
Ronald Lee Haskell, 33, faces the death penalty for multiple counts of capital murder.
The heavy-set blond man was in the custody of the Harris County Sheriffs Office following an hours-long stand-off with dozens of officers, including a SWAT team and hostage negotiators yesterday.
STANDOFF: Six family members shot in Houston
No bond was set and Haskell is due to face court today.
The motive behind the latest chapter in the epidemic of gun violence plaguing the US was not immediately known, but police suspect family troubles led to the bloodshed.
Haskell forced his way into the home of his ex-wifes sister in Houston by dressing as a FedEx delivery man, according to police.
Police said he first knocked on the front door and when young Cassidy Stay, 15, answered and he asked for her parents.
She didnt recognise him at first, told him they were not at home and he left, The New York Post reports.
Facing the death penalty ... Ronald Lee Haskell.
Facing the death penalty ... Ronald Lee Haskell.
But he came back later and this time and blurted out his name, and she immediately closed the door to keep him out.
But the burly, bearded psycho kicked the door in, gathered up the children that were here and awaited the arrival of the parents, Harris County Constable Ron Hickman said.
He demanded to see his ex-wife, Melannie Haskell but she wasnt there so Haskell reportedly tied up the familys five children two boys aged four and 13 and three girls aged seven, nine and 15 while waiting for their parents to return home.
Once husband and wife Stephen Stay, 39, and Katie Stay, 33, returned, they were also tied up.
Haskell then shot each member of the family in the back of the head execution-style.
The slain children were identified as Bryan, 13, Emily, 9, Rebecca, 7, and Zach, 4.
Cassidy survived, but was in a critical condition.
The family ... From left to right: Cassidy Stay, 15, survived being shot in the head and
The family ... From left to right: Cassidy Stay, 15, survived being shot in the head and called police after a gunman executed her sister Rebecca, 7; mother Katie, 33; sister Emily, 9; dad Stephen, 39; and brothers Zach, 4, and Bryan, 13. Picture: Facebook Source: Supplied
She managed to tell police where Haskell was headed, saying the gunman intended to kill her grandparents as well.
Katie Stays father, Roger Lyon, said the family was shocked and devastated by the tragedy.
Stephen and Katie Stay and their beautiful children were an amazing and resilient family. They lived to help others, both at church and in their neighbourhood. We love them beyond words, he said.
Finally surrendering ... police officers surround the shooting suspect. Picture: AP Photo
Finally surrendering ... police officers surround the shooting suspect. Picture: AP Photo/Houston Chronicle, Brett Coomer Source: AP
Cassidy Stay, 15, who survived the attack, is expected to make a full recovery. We are grateful for this miracle.
We are in awe of her bravery and courage in calling 911, an act that is likely to have saved all of our lives. She is our hero.
A 20-minute police chase ensued, ending when officers cornered Haskell in a cul-de-sac.
During the stand-off, the shooter sat in his vehicle surrounded by about 50 police with their guns drawn. There were at least a dozen patrol cars waiting to pounce.
I have not personally in 40 years seen a tragedy in one family that is this horrific, Hickman said.
Haskells February divorce was difficult, according to court documents from Cache County in the southern state of Utah where he lived.
Loving tributes ... a photograph, flowers and candles are left on the porch where a fatal
Loving tributes ... a photograph, flowers and candles are left on the porch where a fatal home shooting took place in Spring, Texas. Picture: David J. Phillip Source: AP
He was considered a threat to the couples children.
In 2008, Haskell was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, simple assault and committing an act of violence in front of children, according to local media.
The shooting was the latest in a spate of similar incidents in a country plagued by gun violence.
President Barack Obama has warned that America needs to do some soul-searching on gun control laws, which remain lax despite regular gun rampages.
FedEx said in a statement that Haskell was a former employee, and cops believe he may have donned the uniform as a disguise.
http://www.news.com.au/world/ronald-lee-haskell-disguised-himself-as-a-fedex-delivery-man-before-slaughtering-his-exwifes-family/story-fndir2ev-1226985515380
