Delco prosecutors expect to close the tragedy in East Lansdowne as more information comes to light
EAST LANSDOWNE, Pa. (CBS) -- Calling on his upbringing with Catholic nuns, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer didn't hold back on Friday in describing what a man named Canh Le is alleged to have done to his own family.
"If this man did shoot his family, which is a horrible evil I can't comprehend," Stollsteimer said, "then I hope the Sisters of Mercy at Saint Denis taught me the truth and that he is going to spend the rest of his life suffering in hell for what he did."
Stollsteimer said his investigators believe Canh Le on Wednesday afternoon first shot his niece before possibly shooting the remaining four family members and then setting the home on fire.
They said that account is corroborated by Le's parents who left the home and called 911.
"There is a small number of people that I've encountered in my 10 years as a prosecutor who are just truly evil people," Stollsteimer said. "And they need to be held accountable, I think our good Lord is holding this man accountable."
The medical examiner will now determine if the victims as well as Canh Le died from gunshots or smoke inhalation caused by the fire.
A rifle was recovered but prosecutors say how it fits into the investigation, with ballistic testing, will be determined later.
"The gun we recovered was a rifle, melted somewhat, it was an inferno," Stollsteimer said. "All of that stuff is for later, we're not going to trace the weapon until we get past today's stage."
Both officers who were shot while responding are now recovering at home and the home at the center of the crime scene is mostly gone, now people can begin to process and seek closure whether by faith or otherwise.
"I'm comforted by the fact that those poor victims, especially the children, are in a far better place right now, I need to believe that," Stollsteimer said.
Neighbors laid flowers and teddy bears to remember the family killed inside the home on Lewis Ave in East Landsdowne.
"It's really sad to see. It's heartbreaking. I really feel for that family. Gives me chills every time I think about it," Stevieann Scully said.
At Perkins Family Restaurant in Drexel Hill, co-workers and customers of Britni McLaughlin-Le are still processing her death along with her husband and their three kids.
"There is no words. No words. You're just heartbroken," customer Cheryl Hellmig said.
Britni worked at Perkins for 20 years becoming a beloved co-worker and server. Cheryl Hellmig said Britni served her and her mother Linda quite a few times over the years.
"Jolly, happy. She made you feel like family," Cheryl Hellmig said.
"We were devastated. It was horrible," Linda Hellmig said.
Those emotions are felt throughout the community as people continue to try and wrap their minds around this new reality. But for many right now, that seems impossible.
RELATED: East Lansdowne mental health clinicians offer free counseling to support community after tragedy
"My heart goes out to the families, the family, the children and hopefully they will be accepted into God's family," customer Bill Thornton said.
Other than determining causes of death, prosecutors expect the only next official step will be closing this case.
The general manager from Perkins said there will be a vigil to honor the family in Yeadon and a balloon release on Saturday.
