The small community of Manchester, Illinois, about 50 miles outside of Springfield, was the scene of deadly violence early this morning as a gunman killed five people on the first floor of an apartment complex there.

Police in the community of about 300 were alerted of the shooting at approximately 4:45 am this morning at the Scott County Housing Authority complex. When SWAT, police and responders arrived, they found a sixth person, a young girl, still alive. She was promptly transported to Saint Johns Hospital in Springfield for treatment of gunshot wounds.

At a press conference this morning, police did not identify the victims or the shooter,. But, the Chicago Tribune reportedt that the members of thedeceased victims were Joanne Sinclair, who was the children’s grandmother 64-year-old Joanne Sinclaire, her daughter 22-year-old Brittany Luark, who was there with her boyfriend, Roy Raston, and children 5-year-old Nolan Ralston and one-year-old Bradley Ralston. The wounded victim is six-year-old Cassidy.

Schools were ordered not to open and an All Points Bulletin was released for the shooter.

At approximately 8 am, the suspect was located in a vehicle and a high-speed chase that lasted about ten minutes ensued. After the suspect was pulled over, shots were fired and the wounded suspect was taken into custody. The suspect, 43-year-old Rick Smith was identified by neighbors as the shooter. Shortly after being taken custody, he died from wounds sustained in the shootout with police.

To any of the townspeople’s recollection, this is the first murder incidence in the community.