"Police kill suspect after 5 slain in Ill." by Regina Garcia Cano | Associated Press, April 25, 2013
MANCHESTER, Ill. — A man shot and killed five people, including two boys, before leading police on a chase that ended in an exchange of gunfire that left him dead, authorities said Wednesday....
A bystander called police and told them that Rick O. Smith fled the home. A car chase ensued, leading authorities to the nearby town of Winchester, where Smith and officers exchanged gunfire. Officers shot Smith and he later died at a hospital.
Smith had previous convictions for reckless homicide, drugs, and bad checks....
Illinois State Police said they believe....
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"Dispute preceded 5 killings in Illinois, police say" April 26, 2013
MANCHESTER, Ill. — The man suspected of storming a south-central Illinois home and killing five members of a family with a shotgun had been in a dispute with at least one victim, but authorities said Thursday they were still trying to determine if it had something to do with the custody of a child.
State Police spokeswoman Monique Bond said investigators are looking into a possible custody battle involving Rick O. Smith, and were going to places he frequented.
“Investigators are ... talking to family and friends, just kind of backtracking to see what can be pieced together.”
Smith allegedly shot and killed a 1-year-old boy, his 5-year-old brother, their pregnant mother, their father, and their great grandmother. The boys’ 6-year-old sister was also shot, but survived. Smith, the nephew of the town’s mayor, was killed while exchanging gunfire with police.
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