Man arrested in killings of 3 girls in Clinton, Maryland
CLINTON, Md. - A 24-year-old man was arrested in the killings of three girls in Clinton, Maryland, investigators announced late Friday evening.
Prince George's County police said Antonio Williams, who lives in the same block the homicides occurred, was taken into custody in connection with the death of the girls. Authorities did not release any other details about the arrest of Williams, but said a press conference would be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
Officers responded to the scene in the 6400 block of Brooke Jane Drive after receiving a call from a family member who discovered three bodies inside a home at about 7:30 a.m.
When officers arrived at the home, they met with members of the family and found the bodies of three children, described by investigators as girls under the age of 10. The victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
Family members told FOX 5 one of the victims was a 6-year-old girl and said the three girls were related. Investigators did not confirm these details.
In an earlier update Friday morning, Prince George's County Police Department spokesperson Jennifer Donelan said the scene inside the home was gruesome. All three victims had suffered from trauma to the body
"This is one of the the most difficult scenes that our officers arrived on," Donelan said, adding that the neighborhood where the children were found was quiet.
Prince George's County Police Assistant Chief Hector Velez said the entire force was mourning the tragic loss of three young lives.
“I wear a uniform but I am a father. Those who responded here today are parents, aunts, uncles and siblings of young children who they care for and love very much. We all feel this loss,” Velez said.
Prince George's County State's Attorney Angela Alsobrooks appeared at Friday afternoon's news conference alongside police. She said people in Prince George's County had again woken up to another nightmare.
"They are not alone in their grief. We are grieving together," Alsobrooks said, adding that the rash of violence in the county and the country needs to end.
Anyone with information that could aid detectives in their investigation was urged to call Crime Solvers at (866) 411-8477.