Bailed murder suspect kills 6 in Iran rampage

TEHRAN, Iran – A murder suspect freed on bail killed 6 people including a policeman and 3 family members in a shooting rampage on Wednesday, January 11, in central Iran, media reported.

The 26-year-old entered two houses in Arak and shot 8 people with a kalashnikov, killing 5 of them instantly, ISNA news agency quoted the city’s prosecutor as saying.

A sixth victim later died in hospital and another was in critical condition, he added.

The first house targeted was the home of a police officer who had arrested the man last year on charges of complicity in a murder.

The officer, his sister, mother and brother were all killed while another family member was hospitalised.

The suspect then went to the house of the victim who he and two others are accused of killing last year and shot dead his parents. Their son was also injured.

The shooter is still on the run but his brother, who allegedly accompanied him in the rampage, has been arrested, the prosecutor said.

The gunman had been released on bail of two billion rials ($50,000) on January 1.

Gun violence is rare in the Islamic republic and offenders face severe punishment. – Rappler.com