Pocono News Section

Triple Shooting Suspect Caught In Wilkes-Barre

Triple Shooting Suspect Caught In Wilkes-Barre - Sunday, December 9, 2007 at 10:39PM EST

Reported by: Jill Konopka
Sunday, Dec 9, 2007 @10:39pm EST
(WOODBRIDGE, VIRGINIA/WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY) - A deadly shooting spree started here in Woodbridge, Virginia hours after the birthday party of a two-year-old.

WBRE's Jill Konopka broke this story in Luzerne County at 6 pm Sunday evening.

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.

Manuel Europa is a relative, "He crazy, come in. He said maybe you have boyfriend, she don't have boyfriend." Investigators say Sanchez-Miranda shot and killed the intended target's sister, her common law husband and another man, then shot and wounded two others before fleeing to Northeastern, Pennsylvania.

Prince William County police say although the children were not hurt, they likely witnessed the shootings. First Sgt. Kim Chinn said, "It's always a shock when it’s this level of violence anywhere, it surprises everybody. It's never expected."

Virginia authorities quickly learned the suspect was on his way to his sister's home in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Police here were put on alert.

Lt. Steve Olshefski spoke with WBRE News, "Their investigation led us to an address on Carey Avenue which was supported by them by tracking our suspect’s cell phone."

Wilkes-Barre police surrounded 510 Carey Avenue less than six hours after the triple murders and had Sanchez-Miranda in custody within 15 minutes. They found him on the roof of his sister's home. The family did not want to speak with WBRE-News, but did cooperate with police.

Lt. Steve Olshefski added, "Everything went very peacefully. Thank god, we were well prepared for this gentleman. He's very violent and he's obviously a threat."

Wilkes-Barre police say Sanchez-Miranda will be arraigned as a fugitive from justice - before returning to Virginia around 8 a.m. Monday morning.