Fla. police nab man in Thanksgiving killings of 4

[Akoto]

Source: Associated Press

WESTON, Fla. (AP) -- A Florida man suspected of gunning down four family members at a Thanksgiving dinner was arrested Saturday night in the Florida Keys after a weekslong manhunt, authorities said.

Jupiter Police Sgt. Scott Pascarella said Paul Merhige, 35, was taken into custody without a struggle by U.S. Marshals and Monroe County Sheriff's deputies at a motel on Long Key. Pascarella credited the TV show "America's Most Wanted" for the tip that led to Merhige's capture.

Merhige has been the subject of a massive manhunt that included a $100,000 reward for information leading to his capture. He is accused of killing his twin sisters, a 79-year-old aunt and 6-year-old cousin on Thanksgiving Day at a family gathering in Jupiter.

Authorities said Merhige checked into the motel in Dec. 2, using the name "John Baca" and a false Homestead address. He had the same blue 2007 Toyota Camry that had been a key part of the manhunt, but police said it was hidden with a covering at the Keys motel.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_FAMILY_SHOOTINGS?SITE=CACHI&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

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I live very close to where the killings took place, and it has been a very big story locally. I'm surprised they caught the guy still in the state.

[rfranklin]

1. If only his 79 year old aunt had been armed...

This tragedy might have been averted.

[winyanstaz]

3. Dang right...I am a senior citizen and a little old lady...

but I would certainly have had no trouble blowning his ass out of the water when he started shooting.
I am not for violence but I am not for being a victim either.
Age or sex has nothing to do with defending your family.

[Dappleganger]

2. This is precisely why I won't invite our mentally-unstable family members to holidays.

Yes, some people hate me for it but there are children there who need protecting and I know what that family member is capable of doing. Too many variables to go wrong under the pressure of a holiday.

[Abacus]

5. Perhaps that practice needs some re-evaluation...

I was going to write that further ostracization could very likely backfire, then I found this:

Six-year-old Makayla Sitton was murdered along with three family members on Thanksgiving night. Police said the shooter is relative Paul Michael Merhige whose motive was revenge after not being invited to the holiday dinner party.

http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/MI139093/

[LisaL]

6. I watched it on AMW.

I believe he was invited. His motive was portrayed as resentment/jealousy (of their success) he felt toward his sisters.

[Greybnk48]

4. I saw this on AMW last night.

It's a relief he's in custody. He's clearly unstable as they portrayed him and dangerous to others.

[LisaL]

7. He is accused of killing 4 people, including an old lady and a little

girl. So I imagine AMW's "portrayal" wasn't far off.

[rocktivity]

8. I watched the AMWsegment--glad I could help, LOL

The segment showed video footage of him withdrawing money, tuning up his car and buying ammunition, making for a good case for Murder One.

He wound up in the Keys, huh? Where was he planning to go from there--the Bahamas? Cuba?

:shrug:
rocktivity