Col. John Bolduc, the Nebraska State University police chief, reported at a 9:30 a.m. news conference that Jason Jones, 42, of Laurel, was found after evidence from both murder locations led detectives to him.
Bolduc alleges that crime scene investigators from the Nebraska State Patrol found physical evidence linking Jones to the crimes at both crime scenes. After finding the evidence, investigators used “lightning deflection devices” as a diversionary strategy before Jones was arrested.
Bolduc said further information could not be provided because footage acquired from the two crime scenes is still being processed by investigators.
Who is 42-year-old Jason Jones, a suspect in a murder in northeastern Nebraska?
Jason Jones, 42, lives on Elm Street, the same street where the murders took place just a few blocks from each other.
Bolduc alleges that physical evidence connecting Jones to the crimes was found at both crime scenes by Nebraska State Patrol investigators. Investigators used “flash deflection devices” as a diversionary tactic after discovering the evidence, leading to Jones’ arrest.
Investigators arrested Jones after entering the suspect’s home at 206 Elm St., which is adjacent to one of the victims’ residences, and found he had extensive burn injuries. Bolduc claimed he was taken to a Lincoln hospital where he remains in critical condition.
Four bodies were found dead in two different Laurel homes Thursday morning, leading to the arrest. The houses that lined Elm Street were two blocks apart. The Nebraska State Patrol had requested information during a news conference Thursday afternoon about a black man who drove a silver car away from Laurel.
Details of Jason Jones’ arrest and charge
After numerous failed attempts to convince Jones to leave the house, the Nebraska State Patrol SWAT team finally found that he had severe burn injuries. He was rushed to a Lincoln hospital Friday morning and is in critical condition, according to the NSP.
The Nebraska State Patrol also believes the shooting was a factor in the deaths at two other apartment buildings in the northeastern Nebraska city.
According to the Nebraska State Patrol, the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 3 a.m. call about an explosion at a Laurel residence, and fire crews found a body inside the home. Michele Ebeling, 53, was the first victim at home, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.
The three victims in the second home were Gene Twiford, 86, Janet Twiford, 85, and Dana Twiford, 55.
Quadruple homicide in northeastern Nebraska
Following a tragedy in Laurel, Nebraska that killed four and damaged two homes. The Nebraska State Patrol promotes community awareness.
According to a statement from the Nebraska State Patrol, the incidents at the homes at 209 Elm Street and 503 Elm Street are now believed to have involved gunfire. The truth came out after the fire was successfully extinguished and investigators had some time to look at the homes.
Officials now believe the fire at 503 Elm Street may have started around the same time as the fire at 209 Elm Street caused by the blast, although it was hours before the fire was visible from outside the building.
The Nebraska State Patrol asks that anyone who notices anything strange between midnight and 4 a.m. contact them as soon as possible at 402-479-4921.