What we know about the East Lansdowne fire, shooting of police officers, and the family members who died

Two police officers were shot, and six family members, including the alleged gunman, are presumed dead after a Wednesday standoff at an East Lansdowne home that later erupted into flames.

The officers were wounded while responding to reports that an 11-year-old girl had been shot inside the house that was later set ablaze.

Officials said Friday they believe they recovered the remains of six members of the Le family living in the home — three children and three adults.

Investigators continued to sift through the charred ruins Friday, looking for evidence.

Here’s what we know, and don’t.

Just before 4 p.m. Wednesday, officers from East Lansdowne, Lansdowne, and Upper Darby responded to a call on Lewis Avenue that an 11-year-old girl had been shot. But when police arrived, they were immediately met with gunfire from a shooter inside the top floor of the home.

Two officers — one from East Lansdowne and one from Lansdowne — were shot. More officers from Upper Darby arrived, ducking behind ballistic shields as they dragged the wounded officers to a police car and waiting ambulance. Both men were hospitalized in stable condition.

» READ MORE: Live updates: Search begins in East Lansdowne where fire, standoff took place

As the tense standoff continued with the shooter inside the house, a massive fire began on the home’s third floor. Fire crews from across Delaware County arrived to combat the growing blaze, but they were delayed for nearly an hour as tactical crews worked to clear the scene of the standoff.

The home was engulfed in flames and thick smoke, and neighbors were evacuated, officials said.

By Wednesday night, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said the house was “largely burned out.” The ruins continued to smolder, making it unsafe for investigators to enter what was left of the house to piece together what had happened.

Fire officials and others began excavation in search of evidence Thursday. Work continued on Friday.

As a gunman inside the house continued to fire at officers Wednesday evening, a fire broke out from the third floor of the home, officials said.

Crews arrived on the scene to extinguish the blaze, but were delayed for nearly an hour in combating the growing flames as tactical crews worked to clear the scene.

By Thursday morning, little more than a charred frame of the home was left standing. Stollsteimer described it as a “burned-out hollow.”

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said officials believe the suspected gunman, 43-year-old Canh Le, also started the fire. Stollsteimer said it is not yet clear what triggered Le.

“They don’t really have any idea. He just went haywire,” Stollsteimer told reporters Friday.

Six members of the Le family, who lived at the home on Lewis Avenue, are presumed to be dead, Stollsteimer said.

Canh Le lived at the home on Lewis Avenue with his parents; his younger brother, Xuong Le, 40; Xuong’s wife, Britni McLaughlin Le, 37; and the couple’s three young children – Xavier Le, Nakayla Le, and Natayla Le, according to law enforcement officials.

“Britni and Xuoug were a happily married couple for 17 years, loving and devoted parents to their three children, their extended family, and their beloved friends,” the McLaughlin and Le families said in a statement. “Our hearts are broken and we vow to cherish the memories of our loved ones, and we will work to ensure that their legacies live on.”

Identifying those who may have died in the massive fire may take some time, with investigators having to rely on dental records and other forensic testing, Stollsteimer said.

The initial emergency call alerting police that an 11-year-old girl had been shot in the home on Lewis Avenue was made by Le’s father, Huong, after his older son reportedly shot one of Xuong Le’s daughters, sources said Thursday.

He and his wife then ran to safety as the officers arrived to investigate reports of the girl being shot.

The first officer on the scene, East Lansdowne Officer John Meehan, 54 was shot in his left arm, officials said. The 22-year veteran of the department required a lengthy surgery and is still being treated at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.

The second officer, Lansdowne Officer David Schiazza, 44, was shot in his leg moments later. Schiazza, also a 22-year veteran of his department, was released Thursday afternoon.