Texas Murder Spree: Charles Brownlow arrested on suspicion of killing 5 people in 4 different locations
(CBS/AP) TERRELL, Texas - Police say a man accused of killing five people - including one who may have burned to death - is in custody.
Charles Brownlow, 36, is accused of going on a killing spree Monday night, reports CBS Dallas. Police say the bloodshed began Monday night at around 5 p.m., in a house in Terrell where a woman was found fatally shot.
The station reports that less than a half hour later, a Terrell firefighter observed a house on fire a few blocks away from the initial shooting. After the fire was extinguished, a female body was discovered inside the home. Police say the fire was clearly arson and established a connection between the two crimes.
Police received a call of a shooting at a third location around 10 p.m. No one was injured in the incident, though witnesses described someone matching Brownlow's description fleeing the scene in a vehicle allegedly stolen from the burning home.
While still gathering details at the third location, police received calls of another shooting. When they arrived, police found the bodies of a man and woman at the home; both had been shot. A 3-year-old child was found unharmed and witnesses again provided a suspect description matching that of Brownlow.
Finally, CBS Dallas reports that an off-duty officer saw the stolen vehicle and a man matching Brownlow's description at Ali's Market at 10:37 p.m. The suspect fled and was apprehended at about 1:30 a.m. He was reportedly taken into custody without incident.
A store employee was later found shot dead at Ali's Market.
Brownlow has an extensive criminal record that includes charges of burglary, assault-family violence, possession of marijuana, and unlawful possession of a firearm, according to the station.
It is unclear if the suspect knew the victims, who have not yet been named. An investigation is ongoing.
