An apparently distraught man barged into four homes in the small town of Tyrone, Missouri and shot dead eight people, most of them his relatives, before committing suicide.
Police said Joseph Jesse Aldridge, 36, a resident of the rural town of only 50 persons, went door to door and targeted family members in the massacre. Using a pistol, he shot to death four of his cousins that lived within five kilometers of each other.
Four of the victims were identified as Garold Aldridge, 52, his wife Julie Aldridge, 47, Harold Aldridge, 50, and his wife Janell Aldridge, 48.
Police wouldn't identify the other victims, but the St. Louis Post-Dispatch said they were Carey Shriver and his wife Valirea Shriver, and Carey's father Darrell Shriver. Darrell's wife Martha was wounded but survived.
Texas County Sheriff James Sigman said there was no sign of forced entry in any of the houses. He said Aldridge had a minor criminal history.
Aldridge later committed suicide in a parked car near one of the crime scenes, said ABC News.
Police said Aldridge's motive is unclear. There were rumors, however, the deadly rampage might have been sparked by the death of Aldridge's mother, who was found dead at her home.
Police said she might have died from natural causes and an autopsy would be carried out.
Texas County Sheriff's Department responded to a call about a disturbance at 10:00 p.m., Thursday, said Reuters.
They said a 15 year-old girl reported that her parents had been shot at their home. Further investigation revealed five victims that had been shot to death and one additional victim who was wounded in three other homes.
Police said they found Aldridge's dead mother, who apparently died of natural causes at another home.