A total of four people were found dead early Thursday morning at two separate homes in a northeast Nebraska town. James A. Jones, 42, was taken into custody in Laurel, Nebraska, and is being treated at a Lincoln hospital for severe burns. The motive for the homicides is unknown at this time. Here’s everything we’ve learned so far about what happened. The incidents Around 3 am Thursday, the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about an explosion at a residence in Laurel. Fire teams found a person dead inside the home, located in the 500 block of Elm Street. Around the same time, another fire was reported at a residence in the 200 block of Elm Street. Three people were found dead at the second residence. Nebraska State Patrol also believes gunfire played a role in the deaths and fire investigators believe that accelerants may have been used in each of the fires, according to authorities. The suspectCrime scene investigators found evidence that linked Jason Jones, a Laurel resident, to the homicides . After attempts for Jones to exit the home voluntarily, the Nebraska State Patrol SWAT Team entered the home and found the 42-year-old with severe burn injuries, according to law enforcement. NSP said he was airlifted to a Lincoln hospital and is in serious condition as of Friday morning. According to court documents, Jones was arrested on four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree arson and four courts of use of a firearm to commit a felony. No motive is known at this time. Records obtained by KETV NewsWatch 7 indicate Jones lived in Omaha at one point. He’s linked to one Omaha rental property for six months in 2019 and 2020, along with a second Omaha address with no date on the entry. Jones also had multiple residences in Texas and Oklahoma during the early 2000s and his move to Cedar County took place in 2018. The victims The victim at the first residence, located in the 200 block of Elm Street, was identified as 53-year-old Michele Ebeling, according to the Nebraska State Patrol. Investigators believe she was shot at least twice. They found backpack in the home with receipts linked to the purchase of gasoline and gas cans using a credit card belonging to James Jones. The three victims at the second residence, located in the 500 block of Elm Street, were identified as 86-year-olds. old Gene Twiford, 85-year-old Janet Twiford and 55-year-old Dana Twiford. Investigators say there is evidence a pry bar was used to gain access to the home. Inside, they found a gun purchased by Jones in February, 2021. Gene Twiford was part of the Nebraska American Legion and was a past department commander for District 6. On Facebook, the post shared a photo and asked for thoughts and prayers for his family of the. The pot said Gene was instrumental in getting Highway 20 renamed as the Nebraska Medal of Honor Highway. He received letters of support from every community and county along the 432-mile stretch. The highway earned its name designation in January 2020.
A total of four people were found dead early Thursday morning at two separate homes in a northeast Nebraska town.
James A. Jones, 42, was taken into custody in Laurel, Nebraska, and is being treated at a Lincoln hospital for severe burns. The motive for the homicides is unknown at this time.
Here’s everything we’ve learned so far about what happened.
incidents
Around 3 am Thursday, the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about an explosion at a residence in Laurel. Fire teams found a person dead inside the home, located in the 500 block of Elm Street.
Around the same time, another fire was reported at a residence in the 200 block of Elm Street.
Three people were found dead at the second residence.
The Nebraska State Patrol also believes gunfire played a role in the deaths and fire investigators believe that accelerants may have been used in each of the fires, according to authorities.
The suspect
Crime scene investigators found evidence that linked Jason Jones, a Laurel resident, to the homicides.
After attempts for Jones to exit the home voluntarily, the Nebraska State Patrol SWAT Team entered the home and found the 42-year-old with severe burn injuries, according to law enforcement.
NSP said he was airlifted to a Lincoln hospital and is in serious condition as of Friday morning.
According to court documents, Jones was arrested on four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree arson and four courts of use of a firearm to commit a felony.
No motive is known at this time.
Records obtained by KETV NewsWatch 7 indicate Jones lived in Omaha at one point.
He’s linked to one Omaha rental property for six months in 2019 and 2020, along with a second Omaha address with no date on the entry.
Jones also had multiple residences in Texas and Oklahoma during the early 2000s and his move to Cedar County took place in 2018.
The victims
The victim at the first residence, located in the 200 block of Elm Street, was identified as 53-year-old Michele Ebeling, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.
Investigators believe she was shot at least twice. They found backpack in the home with receipts linked to the purchase of gasoline and gas cans using a credit card belonging to James Jones.
The three victims at the second residence, located in the 500 block of Elm Street, were identified as 86-year-old Gene Twiford, 85-year-old Janet Twiford and 55-year-old Dana Twiford.
Investigators say there is evidence a pry bar was used to gain access to the home. Inside, they found a gun purchased by Jones in February, 2021.
Gene Twiford was part of the Nebraska American Legion and was a past department commander for District 6.
On Facebook, the post shared a photo and asked for thoughts and prayers for his family.
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The pot said Gene was instrumental in getting Highway 20 renamed as the Nebraska Medal of Honor Highway.
I have received letters of support from every community and county along the 432-mile stretch.
The highway earned its name designation in January 2020.
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