– Suspect in Philadelphia area fire and shooting investigation
– Investigators focusing on suspect in Philadelphia area fire and shooting case.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : 
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer announced on Friday that authorities suspect a family tragedy in East Lansdowne, just outside Philadelphia, was caused by a relative who shot and wounded two police officers before setting fire to the home. The devastating incident resulted in the deaths of six family members, whose remains were discovered amidst the ashes of the house.
The main suspect in the case is Canh Le, aged 43, who is believed to have killed his niece and potentially the other family members before taking his own life. District Attorney Stollsteimer stated during a press conference that the assumption is that the victims were shot before the fire was set, though the exact details are yet to be confirmed.
Gunfire was reported during a distress call to 911, and Le’s mother informed authorities that he had shot one of her grandchildren. She managed to escape the house and seek help. The surviving family members are currently in a state of shock, and no motive for the tragic events has been identified.
Investigation Continues Into the Tragic Incident
Delaware County district attorney’s office spokeswoman, Margie McAboy, confirmed that the victims are believed to be Canh Le’s brother, Xuong Le (40), Xuong Le’s wife, Britni McLaughlin Le (37), and the couple’s three children.
The remains of Canh Le were found in close proximity to a gun, which was also recovered from the remnants of the fire. Canh Le had a previous arrest record in 2006, where he was charged with making terroristic threats, trespassing, and disorderly conduct. However, the charges were later dropped, and he was placed in a diversion program, serving probation and community service.
Authorities were initially alerted to the incident when they responded to a call about a child, later identified as Le’s niece, being shot at the house. As the police officers arrived, they encountered gunfire, resulting in their injuries. The structure subsequently caught fire, causing extensive damage.
Bravery of Officers and Community Support
During the incident, two police officers sustained gunshot wounds. Officer John Meehan (44) from the East Lansdowne department underwent surgery for a left forearm wound and was discharged on Friday. Officer David Schiazza (54) from the Lansdowne department was treated for a leg wound and was released from the hospital on Thursday. Stollsteimer praised the officers from Upper Darby for saving the lives of the wounded officers by swiftly evacuating them to safety.
Location and Conclusion
East Lansdowne, the town where the tragic events unfolded, is located approximately 5 miles west of downtown Philadelphia. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with authorities working tirelessly to gather more information to determine the motive behind this devastating act.
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Scolforo reported from Harrisburg.
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1. “Suspect in Philadelphia area fire and shooting investigation”
2. “Investigation of suspect in Philadelphia area fire and shooting”.
