911 Calls Set Off Murder Suspect Manhunt in Miami Condo
Suspect Paul Merhige not found after cops surround building
Jupiter Police
Paul Michael Merhige
It was a chaotic scene late last night as a Miami condo building was surrounded and shut down by police after several people called 911 to report seeing the man suspected of slaughtering four relatives on Thanksgiving in the building.
Nearly two dozen police cars responded to the scene, streets were shut down and pedestrians were blocked from the area as Miami Police, SWAT members and U.S. Marshals searched the Doubletree Grand Hotel and Condominium for several hours last night but failed to turn up suspect Paul Merhige.
Several relatives of Merhige, including twin sister Lisa Merhige Knight, live at the building at 1717 N. Bayshore Dr.
Merhige, 35, is wanted in the bloody Thanksgiving shooting deaths of four family members during a holiday gathering in Jupiter. Police say he shot his two twin sisters, Lisa and Carla, his 79-year-old aunt and a 6-year-old girl. Police said Lisa was pregnant.
Yesterday, it was learned that Merhige wasn't originally invited to the party, at which 16 people attended, but his father requested that he be invited.
Merhige reportedly sat quietly through the dinner, then suddenly opened fire. "I have been waiting 20 years to do this," he reportedly said as he left the house.
Police and U.S. Marshals agents have been on an intense manhunt since an arrest warrant was issued Saturday for Merhige.
On Tuesday, police also released updated photos of Merhige from a Miami ATM just days before the attack. Police are still searching for the gunman, who may still be driving his blue Toyota Camry.
Funeral arrangements have been announced for two of the victims in the shooting, 6-year-old Makayla Sitton and 79-year-old Raymonde Joseph. A public funeral service will be held at Jupiter High School from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
There is currently a $25,000 reward for information leading to Merhige's arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call the Jupiter Police Department at (561) 746-6201, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS.
Posted Thursday, Dec 3, 2009 - 7:07 AM EST
