Associated Press
SIOUX CITY, Iowa — A 23-year-old man was arrested Friday on suspicion of killing his girlfriend, her five children and an acquaintance in what a shaken police chief called the worst mass murder in the city’s history.
Adam Matthew Moss was captured without a struggle as he hid behind a pile of plywood, police chief Joe Frisbie said after a frantic all-night search by authorities.
Police offered no motive for the slayings. Neighbors said Moss could be friendly and helpful but had a history of violence. His own brother filed a restraining order against him last week.
The body of Leticia Aguilar, 31, was found at her home by a babysitter Thursday night, along with those of her children, ages 6 to 12.
The bodies appeared to have been there for a few days, authorities said. Police would not say how they were killed, but Frisbie described the slayings as "brutal" and said officers would be offered stress counseling.
The seventh victim was Ronald Fish, 58, the owner of a tire store and service station whose body was found at his home.
The slayings shocked many in this Missouri River city of 84,000. Police said the last multiple killing in Sioux City was a triple homicide 26 years ago.
Fred Scaletta, spokesman for the Iowa Corrections Department, said Moss received a year of probation in 1995 for assault with injury. The next year, he was placed on two years’ probation for burglary and theft.
Just last week, Moss’ younger brother, Jason Moss, obtained a restraining order against him for assault, said Charlene Peterson, a trial court supervisor. She would not provide details.
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