Until around 5 a.m. today, news outlets were relying on sources to confirm neo-Nazi J.T. Ready was among the five people dead in yesterday's massacre in Gilbert.
Gilbert police have now confirmed Ready is dead, along with four other people, including a baby born last January.
If Ready's name doesn't ring a bell, our colleague Stephen Lemons has the details on Ready's notoriety.
Minutes ago, Gilbert police also released a statement saying investigators believe Ready's the gunman, which has been rumored since news of the massacre was developing.
"The evidence to this point, which will still be verified, is leading us to believe Jason Ready is responsible for killing the other 4 and subsequently taking his own life," police say.
See the full slideshow from the scene of the Gilbert massacre here.
A neighbor who didn't wish to be identified said she was home when the
shooting took place, and heard gunshots about 1:30 p.m. Police say the timetable for the shooting is around 1 p.m.
The neighbor also pointed to Ready's car parked at an
awkward angle in front of the house.
"This horrific event began yesterday at around 1:00PM when officers responded to a domestic fight call in the 500 block of west Tumbleweed in Gilbert," police say. "Upon arrival, officers located 4 deceased adults and one severely injured child. The child was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased.
"Investigators obtained a search warrant for the residence and located hazardous chemicals and military grade munitions," police continue. "The Gilbert Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team and the Department of Defense assisted in removing the items."
The four others murdered in the home include Lisa Mederos, 47, Amber Mederos, 23, her husband-to-be (according to Facebook) Jim Hiott, 24, and Amber's daughter Lily Mederos, who turned 1 year old on January 30.
"This is a tragic, horrible thing that has happened to a friend of mine," neighbor Crystal Seibert told New Times yesterday, speaking of Amber Mederos. "I have a 2-year-old at home, and if something like this were to ever happen to him, I wouldn't be able to live. My thoughts and prayers go out to her friends and her family."
