Five dead in US shooting rampage

Christmas Day shootings in the United States left five people, including the gunman and his mother, dead, police said tonight.

“This is obviously a complex investigation with separate crime scenes and five victims. The events of (Sunday) have certainly shocked and saddened us all,” said Colonel David Rohrer, chief of the Fairfax County, Virginia, Police Department.

Detectives believe Nathan Cheatham, 27, shot and killed his mother in the driveway of her home. He then drove 10 miles and fired more than 50 shots that killed three other people, before turning the gun on himself.

“Perhaps we’ll never be able to answer the question that is most prevalent, and that is why,” said Rohrer.

Cheatham had been arrested on several occasions by Fairfax County police for what they described as “minor infractions“. He also had a history of mental problems, investigators said.

He had been living with his mother, Sheila Cheatham, 53, in the suburb of McLean for at least two weeks. He had also stayed with his two brothers at another location in Fairfax County.

Police are hoping they can gain some indication of his demeanour, which may lead to an understanding of what led him to go on a rampage.

Police believe he broke into the second home and systematically went from room to room, fatally shooting Janina Price, 50, and her son Adam Price, 19, who both lived there, and Christopher Buro, 20, of Great Falls, who was visiting.

Another member of the Price family hid in the basement and was able to call for help as Cheatham opened fire. He escaped after the gunfire stopped.

Police said Cheatham was an acquaintance of the Price family. He had called them earlier in the day and was asked not to go to the home.

“There was a phone conversation between Nathan and somebody at the house,” said Major Bob Callahan, commander of the police department’s criminal investigation bureau.

Four spent clips from the 9mm handgun were found at the Price house in Great Falls, an wealthy suburb about 17 miles west of Washington. Cheatham also had other unused ammunition in his possession.

The body of one man was found in a bedroom wardrobe. Another victim was found by a bed in a separate bedroom. Mrs Price was found in the master bedroom on the second floor. Each had been shot several times.

“It appeared that they probably were still asleep or in their rooms when everything started,” Callahan said.

Cheatham’s body was found in the master bedroom with what police called a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

One of two black Labrador retrievers owned by the Price family was shot three times, but was treated by a vet and is expected to survive.