Man accused of killing Lake Wales family of 4 dies after standoff with Sanford police

LAKE WALES, Fla. — A man wanted after the deaths of four people inside of a Lake Wales apartment has dies after a police standoff in Sanford.

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11:15 a.m. update:

Lake Wales police confirmed a man wanted after the deaths of a mother and her three children is dead.

Police said Al Stenson, 38, of Lake Wales died after an officer-involved shooting at a Sanford motel.

Channel 9 has a crew working to gather more details and will provide updates on Eyewitness News.

7:30 a.m. Update:

Police have released updated information about the four deaths and the search for 38-year-old Al Stenson.

Lake Wales Police said:

• Officers have located Stenson and are actively working to take him into custody
• Detectives have obtained an arrest warrant to charge Stenson with four counts of first-degree murder
• Stenson murdered the woman and her three children Tuesday morning around 5 a.m.
• Stenson shot the victims and then left their apartment
• Victims’ family members discovered the bodies Tuesday night and called police at 8:51 p.m.
• The victims include two adults and two juveniles
• The motive for the murders is still unknown to police
• The suspect knew the victims
• Victims’ names are being withheld under Marsy’s Law

Stay with WFTV.com and watch Eyewitness News for updates on this breaking story.

Original Story:

Four people died in an apparent shooting incident Tuesday night in Lake Wales, police said.

Shortly before 9 p.m., officers with Lake Wales Police Department responded to a medical call along Dawnlight Drive at Sunrise Park Apartments.

At the scene, they discovered three adults and one child dead inside an apartment.

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Investigators determined that the bodies were those of a woman and her three children, two of whom were adults.

Police said they’re looking for Al Stenson, 38, of Lake Wales.

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They added that Stenson could be injured and may live at the apartment where the family members were discovered.

Investigators are asking anyone with information about Stenson’s whereabouts to contact Lake Wales Police Department at 863-678-4223.

Tips can also be reported to Heartland Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-226 TIPS (8477), or by dialing **TIPS from your cell phone.

Stay with WFTV.com and watch Eyewitness News for updates on this developing story.

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