4th Perp in Custody in Sophistcated Home Invasion of Large Family results in Murder of Parents
Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan announced a fourth arrest Monday night in the slayings of Byrd and Melanie Billings and said officers are continuing to look for as many as four other suspects.
Advertisement
Morgan also revealed for the first time that the attackers approached the Billings home in two vehicles — a red van on one side of the house, as previously reported, and a sport ut
More..ility vehicle on the other side.
The sheriff said the suspects were dressed in black ninja garb and were wearing masks.
The latest suspect is Gary Lamont Sumner, 31, who was charged with two open counts of murder. He has been in Okaloosa County Jail since Sunday afternoon, having been arrested on a charge of driving with a expired license after a traffic stop.
Wayne Thomas Coldiron, 41, of Pensacola and Leonard Patrick Gonzalez Jr., 35, of Gulf Breeze were charged Sunday with open counts of murder. Leonard Patrick Gonzalez Sr., 56, of Pensacola, was charged Sunday with tampering with evidence.
The Billingses were killed in the bedroom of their Beulah home about 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Nine of their 13 adopted children, all of whom are developmentally disabled, were in the home but were physically unharmed.
Morgan held two news conferences Monday to announce new developments in the investigation. But he continued to be vague and repeatedly refused to offer specifics.
He said Sumner was connected to the deaths through witnesses and video surveillance.
Morgan said another arrest is expected today. He said two more people and possibly a third person also could be involved in the homicides.
Asked if the killing of the couple was captured on video, Morgan refused to say.
A law enforcement source previously said Byrd Billings was shot in the head in an execution-style killing.
The sheriff also released on Monday two surveillance videos of the home. The Billingses had installed surveillance cameras throughout the home to monitor their children.
One of the videos shows a red van drive onto a grassy area in the front of the house. It shows three people going from the van and through a front door while the driver stays in the van. Less..
Added: Jul 14 2009 In: news_politics
Recorded on: Jul 14 2009
By: J Davis 
- Views: 1716 |
- Votes: 1 |
- Recommendations: 0 |
- Comments: 6
