Four people died, two in burning houses, in Laurel, a town in northeastern Nebraska, authorities confirmed in a press conference. The suspect in the case is at large. 

Also read: Hustler Casino, Gardena shooting: 1 person hospitalised after possible robbery

Nebraska State Patrol Superintendent Col. John Bolduc, at the briefing, added that a man was seen driving away from the city before the bodies were discovered and that investigators would like to speak to him.

He further said that the state and local authorities are “investigating multiple crime scenes”. 

Also read: Florida Gov Ron DeSantis suspends state attorney Andrew Warren over refusal to enforce abortion ban

The Nebraska State Patrol, had earlier reported that ‘a situation with multiple fatalities’ occured in Laurel. The city has is a city with a population of just over 1,000 and is about 130 miles northwest of Omaha.  

As per the State Patrol Superintendent’s statement, authorities responded to a home shortly after 3 AM after a 911 caller reported an explosion at the residence. The officers and deputies found one person dead. 

Also Read | US President Joe Biden signs new executive order on abortion rights: All you need to know

“While at the first home, a fire was reported at a second home three blocks away. Three people were found dead inside that home,” Bolduc said.

Police suspect foul play and are searching ‘for a silver sedan in connection with the investigation’. 

“The car was reported leaving Laurel shortly after the second fire was reported, and the male driver may have picked up a passenger before leaving the town,” Bolduc said.

Also Read | What is the Hyde Amendment?

The cause of death will be determined following an autopsy. Their identities will be released pending family notification

Bolduc referred to the man as a suspect in the deaths and said he may have picked up a passenger on the way out of town.

Investigators believe whoever set the fires may have suffered burns, Bolduc added.

He would not say how or whether the victims were related and declined to speculate on the circumstances leading to the killings.

“We’re not categorizing it as anything right now,” Bolduc said.

“Laurel is a very safe community,” said Cedar County Sheriff Larry Koranda. “It shakes everybody up.”