Man Accused Of Killing 5, Kidnapping Estranged Girlfriend

A 27-year-old man broke into a house in rural Alabama and killed five people, including a pregnant woman, before kidnapping his estranged girlfriend and a 3-month-old child, authorities said Sunday.Capt. Paul Burch of the Mobile County Sheriffs Office told The Huffington Post that Laneta Lester was staying at her brothers home in an attempt to escapean abusive relationship with Derrick Dearman, the murder suspect.Early Saturday morning, someone at the residence called 911 to report that Dearman was trespassing. Police responded and were not able to locate him, Burch said. He believes Dearman later returned to the scene and attacked the victims while they were asleep inside the house.There were multiple instruments used, including firearms, he said.After the killings, Burch said, Dearman forcibly kidnapped Lester, along with a child of one of the victims, and drove to Mississippi. He ultimately let them go and turned himself in to police.Dearman is now expected to face six counts of capital murder, which includes a charge for the unborn child.The victims were identified as:Robert Lee Brown, 26;Chelsea Marie Reed, 22, who was five months pregnant;Justin Kaleb Reed, 23; Joseph Adam Turner, 26; and Shannon Melissa Randall, 35.Lester told theMobile County Sheriffs Office that she went to stay at her brothers house on Friday because of ongoing domestic violence perpetrated by Dearman.What weve learned thus far is that there was evidently a history of abuse, Burch said. Theyd been together for a number of years, off and on.They had a recent incident and that prompted her to go to her brothers house.While its unclear exactly how the victims were killed, its worth highlighting that the majority of mass shootings in America, in which four or more people are fatally shot, involve domestic violence.Need help' In the U.S., call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for the National Domestic Violence Hotline.______Melissa Jeltsen covers domestic violence and other issues related to womens health, safety and security. Tips' Feedback' Send anemailor follow her onTwitter.______Related CoverageThis Is Not A Love Story: Examining A Month Of Deadly Domestic Violence In AmericaWhy Didnt You Just Leave' Six Domestic Violence Survivors Explain Why Its Never That SimpleIts Time We Listen When Women Say Their Boyfriends Are DangerousThis Is How A Domestic Violence Victim Falls Through The CracksMen Offer Abhorrent Excuses For Killing Women. Dont Repeat Them.Were Missing The Big Picture On Mass ShootingsA Legal Loophole May Have Cost This Woman Her LifeThis Woman Is On Trial For Killing A Man She Says Tried To Kill HerWoman Accused Of Murdering Her Abusive Ex Goes Free After Almost 3 Years Behind Bars -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.
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