not a thankful thanksgiving

[TheGimp]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34180754/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

JUPITER, Fla. - Authorities in Florida were searching Saturday for a man police said opened fire on his family after Thanksgiving dinner and killed four people, including his pregnant sister and a 6-year-old cousin who was sleeping in her bed.

There had been "ongoing resentment" in the family, but investigators weren't sure what specifically prompted the shooting, officials said. Police were looking for Paul Michael Merhige, 35, of Miami. He was believed to be driving a royal blue 2007 Toyota Camry with a rear spoiler and Florida license plate.

Merhige is also accused of gunning down his pregnant sister's twin and his 79-year-old aunt.

"What led to this incident, we're not quite sure," said Jupiter Police Sgt. Scott Pascarella. "It did not appear there was any altercation prior to this shooting."

Pascarella said Merhige left briefly before returning to the home where 17 relatives had gathered in Jupiter, a small beach town about 90 miles north of Miami. The town is known as a home to celebrities including Michael Jordan and Burt Reynolds.

Pascarella said police first received a 911 call from a neighbor, then another from someone inside the home. The residence, in a well-kept new subdivision with brick-paved driveways, is owned by local TV videojournalist Jim Sitton and his wife. The home was surrounded Friday by yellow crime scene tape and police crime unit vans.

'A lot of sweetness'

Sitton's daughter Makayla had gone to bed before the rampage, police said.

"God packed a lot of sweetness into that little body," Sitton said. "She's just our life. I don't know how we are ever going to recover."

Sitton told local media that his daughter was supposed to perform in a holiday production of "The Nutcracker." The Florida Classical Ballet Theatre had two shows Friday.

"Makayla was part of our family, and as one of the youngest dancers, she was to be one of Mother Ginger's Children," artistic director Colleen Smith said. "She was a beautiful, dear girl. She was a beam."

The other victims were Merhige's twin sisters, Carla Merhige and Lisa Knight, and an aunt, Raymonde Joseph. Merhige's brother-in-law Patrick Knight was in critical but stable condition at a local hospital. Another man, Clifford Gebara, 52, was grazed by a bullet.

Carla Merhige was a real estate agent in Miami.

"She was a wonderful agent," said Joanna Sherman, a manager at Coldwell Banker Residential real estate. "She was very active in the community and in charities. She was just a genuine, beautiful individual. She always had a smile for everybody."

Neighbors in the Palm Beach County community were shocked as police processed the home.

"Our kids walk the streets by themselves," said Nicole Kemp, 67, who did not know any of the victims. "I thought it was the safest place to live. I guess it doesn't matter, if there's a maniac here."

[Homicidalheathen]

WTF? It seems like people are going on family killing spree's allot more lately wtf is GOING ON???

[Mrs.Heart]

Wow that is f**ked up!!

[The Anchormann]

juzus christ what is with people

[Slogo]

i heard about this. The man has ties to Metro Detroit too. Police are on the lookout

[Rev.Reverence]

...goodwill to men?

[Fidget(+)]

Very horrible.

[dragonluv]

Very sad to hear.

I understand there is no excuse for what he has done. Yet, I wonder if he was another that snap due to this bad economy, etc.

Again, there is no excuse.

[pomba gira]

Yeah, read that yesterday morning and immediately wished I hadn't. So sad... now every Thanksgiving will call up painful memories for everyone in that family.

[Homicidalheathen]

News report this morning said this man was in touch with a Doctor in Birmingham...prob wants his face and/or fingertips done.

Keep your eyes open.