Two Delaware County, Pennsylvania, police officers were shot and wounded Wednesday responding to a shots fired call at an East Lansdowne residence where a man reportedly killed five family members and set the home on fire. The suspect is also presumed dead.
The incident began with a 911 call for a report of a shooting. The alleged shooter was identified by his mother as 43-year-old Canh Le.
Le's mother, Chin Le, told WPVI that she heard Canh Le having an argument with his 13-year-old niece in a upstairs bedroom and then say he was going to get a gun.
That's when Chin Le said her husband took her out of the home and the shots were fired. Chin Le said it was her husband who called 911.
Presumed dead are Xuong Le, and his wife, Britni Le, along with their three children, NaKayla, 13, NaTayla, 17, and Xavier, 10. The suspect gunman is also presumed. Three charred bodies have been removed from the ruins of the burned home. Cause of death for the victims has not been determined.
Officers were immediately met by gunfire when they arrived at the scene Wednesday afternoon.
Officer David Schiazza, 54, who is with the Lansdowne Police Department, was shot once in the leg. The 22-year veteran of the department was released from Penn Presbyterian Hospital at 3 p.m. Thursday.
Officer John Meehan, 44, who is with the East Lansdowne Police Department, was shot once in the left arm and his injury required surgery. Meehan is still being treated at Penn Presbyterian Hospital. He is reportedly in stable condition.
"It was because of the Upper Darby Police Department, who also responded to that call, that these officers are alive today. They were dragged out of danger by Upper Darby police officers," said District Attorney Stollsteimer. "Everybody in law enforcement and Delaware County works together."
Stollsteimer said a person inside the home started a fire about 15 minutes after officers arrived.
