The suspect in a Southern California triple homicide who died in a shootout with police was a Virginia law enforcement officer who investigators believe drove across the country to meet a teenage girl before killing three members of her family.
Austin Lee Edwards, 28, also likely set fire to the family's home in Riverside, California, on the day of the shooting Friday before leaving with the girl, according to the Riverside Police Department.
Deputies exchanged gunfire with and fatally shot Edwards after locating him with the teenager later that day, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and Riverside Police said in news releases.
Until last month, Edwards was a Virginia State Police trooper and was recently hired as a sheriff's deputy in that state, spokespersons said.
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Edwards, a resident of North Chesterfield, Virginia, met the girl online and obtained her personal information by deceiving her with a false identity, known as “catfishing,” Riverside Police said.
The three homicide victims were identified on Sunday as 69-year-old Mark Winek, his wife Sharie Winek, 65, and their daughter, 38-year-old Brooke Winek, of Riverside. The exact cause of their death was still pending. The cause of the house fire continues to be under investigation, but authorities said it appears to be intentionally set.
During the preliminary investigation, it was determined a young female described in the initial check of the welfare call to the home was a teenager who lived where the house fire and homicides occurred.
Hours after the fire, Edwards was driving with the teen through San Bernardino County when he was located by police. Edwards fired gunshots at San Bernadino County sheriff's deputies, and at least one deputy returned fire, killing Edwards.
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The teen was unharmed and placed into protective custody of the Riverside County Department of Public Social Services.
It is believed Edwards had developed an online relationship with the teen and obtained her personal information. He travelled from Virginia to Riverside, where he parked his vehicle in a neighbor’s driveway and walked to the teen’s home. At some point, he murdered the teen’s grandfather, grandmother, and mother before walking back to his vehicle with the teen and leaving.
Detectives learned Edwards had worked for the Virginia State Police until recently employed at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in the state of Virginia.
"Our hearts go out to the Winek family and their loved ones during this time of tremendous grief, as this is a tragedy for all Riversiders,” stated Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez. “This is yet another horrific reminder of the predators existing online who prey on our children. If you’ve already had a conversation with your kids on how to be safe online and on social media, have it again. If not, start it now to better protect them.”
The chain of events unfolded after Riverside police responded Friday at 10:30 a.m. to a disturbance call at a Riverside home. Officers received reports of a fire as they responded to the home.
Neighbors organized a vigil Saturday evening for the victims, whom they identified as a husband and wife in their 60s and their adult daughter.
"They are the light, the light of this community, and I'm so sad and sick to my stomach that this would even happen," a neighbor told NBCLA.
Riverside police said there was clear evidence the people did not die as a result of the fire.
“This whole thing is complicated, and it's going to take a lot to unravel,'' Riverside Officer Ryan Railsback told the Daily News. “It's still unraveling, and it's going to take a bit of time.''
Riverside police is asking anyone with information in this case to call 951-351-6050.
