EAST LANSDOWNE, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — All six bodies have been pulled from the charred debris of the East Lansdowne house fire that burst into flames Wednesday after two police officers were shot at the residence.
Investigators are working to properly identify all of the victims based on DNA and dental records. The medical examiner will determine if they died from smoke inhalation, gunshot wounds, or another manner of death.
On Wednesday in the Delaware County town, police responded to a call that an 11-year-old girl had been shot inside a home on Lewis Avenue. However, they were quickly met with gunfire, and moments later, the house caught fire.
Investigators are still combing through the charred remains of the house, which is almost completely gutted. Officials on Thursday recovered three bodies of the family members who were in the house at the time, and the remaining three were found on Friday.
One of the bodies is that of the suspected shooter, 43-year-old Cahn Van Le. Police believe he may have opened fire on his brother, Xuong Le, and his brother’s family before the fire started, though an investigation is pending.
The victims include Xuong and his wife, Brittni McLaughlin Le, and their three children: Natalya, 17, Nakayla, 13, and Xavier, 10. Two grandparents also lived in the home with them but were outside during the shooting and fire.
A partially melted rifle was recovered from the scene Thursday. Detectives are still investigating whether or not Cahn Van Le was the shooter.
It isn’t yet clear how the fire started, or whether the victims died before or after it began.
In a statement, the McLaughlin family said: “Britni and Xuong were a happily married couple for 17 years, loving and devoted parents to their three children, their extended family, and their beloved friends. Their three children all excelled in academics, the arts, and sports. Our hearts are broken and we vow to cherish the memories of our loved ones and we will work to ensure that their legacies live on.”
Two responding police officers were shot in the initial melee. Officer John Meehan, who was shot in the arm, was released from the hospital on Friday. The 44-year-old is a 22-year veteran of the East Lansdowne Police Department.
Officer David Schiazza, 54, of the Lansdowne Police Department, was released on Thursday after he was treated for a gunshot wound in his leg.