Pocono News Section

Suspect in Virginia Shooting Caught in Wilkes-Barre

Suspect in Virginia Shooting Caught in Wilkes-Barre - Sunday, December 9, 2007 at 11:45PM EST

Reported by: Jill Konopka
Sunday, Dec 9, 2007 @11:45pm EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- Wilkes-Barre Police arrested a man Sunday they say went on a fatal shooting rampage after a 2-year-old child's birthday party in Virginia.

The gunman allegedly shot 5 people. Three of them died, including a man who sacrificed his life for his wife and at least four children. Two others are badly hurt.

The deadly shooting spree started in Woodbridge, Virginia, hours after the birthday party of a 2-year-old. In a jealous rage, Virginia police say 39-year-old Anastacio Sanchez-Miranda came to this home searching for his estranged girlfriend, their three children, and a potential boyfriend.

Investigators say Sanchez-Miranda shot and killed the intended target's sister, her common-law husband and another man. Then he shot and wounded two other men before fleeing to Northeast Pennsylvania.

Prince William County police say although the children were not hurt, they likely witnessed the shootings. Virginia authorities quickly learned the suspect was on his way to his sister's home on Carey Avenue in Wilkes-Barre.

Wilkes-Barre Police say Sanchez-Miranda will be arraigned as a fugitive from justice before returning to Virginia.