Two young boys among dead in Illinois shooting

Five people, including two young boys, have been found shot dead in a small town in Illinois, state police said today.

The victims were two women, a man and the two boys.

A sixth person, a six-year-old girl, was taken to hospital.

State Police Lieutenant Colonel Todd Kilby said the gunman took the girl out of the residence in Manchester and handed her to a neighbour.

Manchester Mayor Ronald Drake said the suspect was his nephew.

The suspect died later after a car chase and gunfire exchange with police.

He was identified as 43-year-old Rick Smith of rural Morgan County.

Police said he entered the home through a back door.

They said two victims were found in one bedroom, two in another bedroom and an adult male in a hallway.