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5 of 6 family members killed in East Lansdowne tragedy died from gunfire; 'why' behind shooting and fire remains unknown

Police have said they believe Canh Le shot two police officers and his family members before setting their house on fire.

A visitor pauses at the memorial outside the burned-out house on Lewis Ave in East Lansdowne on Feb. 11, 2024.
A visitor pauses at the memorial outside the burned-out house on Lewis Ave in East Lansdowne on Feb. 11, 2024.Read more
Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer
What you should know
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  1. Delaware County authorities released findings Wednesday from their investigation into the Feb. 7 house fire and shooting in East Lansdowne that left six family members dead and two police officers wounded.

  2. Authorities say Canh Le shot the police officers and family members before setting the house on fire, though it's not clear what triggered the incident. Four of his relatives died from gunfire, officials said Wednesday, while one died from smoke inhalation.

  3. Loved ones of the Le family have been finding solace in memories since the tragedy.

  4. Here is what we know about the East Lansdowne fire, shooting of police officers, and the family members who died.

Feb. 28, 3:01 p.m. ET
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East Lansdowne man who shot at police, set house ablaze, killed himself and four relatives with the same gun, DA says

Five of the six family members who perished in a shooting and house fire in East Lansdowne earlier this month died of gunshot wounds, Delaware County officials said Wednesday, including the man who opened fire at police officers before turning the gun on his relatives and setting the family home ablaze.

Canh Le, 43, shot his brother, sister-in-law and two of their three children with a 5.56mm rifle before using the weapon to take his own life, police said. The couple’s youngest son died of smoke inhalation.

Feb. 28, 1:48 p.m. ET
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East Lansdowne to hold 'community healing event' next week, mayor says

The nightmarish shooting and fire roiled the Delaware County neighborhood, where the Les were remembered as loving and devoted parents, and their children attended three school in the district. District Attoreny Jack Stollsteimer called the events an “an absolute unmitigated tragedy for everybody in this community.”

In the days following the tragedy on Lewis Avenue, more than 100 community members — many who had ties to the children through school, and others strangers from out-of-town — gathered for a candlelit vigil and balloon release honoring the family. “I love you. I miss you. I honor you. I will never forget you,” the crowd repeated in unison.

Feb. 28, 11:59 a.m. ET
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Five family members killed in East Lansdowne died from gunfire, authorities say

Five of the six family members killed in the East Lansdowne shooting and house fire earlier this month died of gunshot wounds after the alleged gunman got into an argument with his niece and shot his family before setting their home ablaze, firing at responding police officers, and eventually taking his own life, Delaware County officials said Wednesday.

Dental records and DNA testing have confirmed that those who died in the tragedy — in addition to the alleged gunman, Canh Le — include Xuong Le, 40, his 37-year-old wife, Britni McLaughlin Le, and their children: Natalya, 17; Nakayla, 13; and Xavier, 10.

Feb. 28, 7:15 a.m. ET
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Delco officials to give update on investigation

Delaware County officials are scheduled to hold a news conference Wednesday to discuss their investigation into the Feb. 7 house fire and shooting that left six family members dead in East Lansdowne.

Police have said that they believe that Canh Le shot and killed five of his relatives, then opened fire on two police officers, wounding them, before setting the home on Lewis Avenue ablaze.

Feb. 28, 7:00 a.m. ET
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After the tragedy in East Lansdowne, the Le family’s loved ones find solace in memories

The Le family home on Lewis Avenue in East Lansdowne is reduced to ash, the last embers long extinguished. And now the mourning has begun.

On an afternoon this month, surrounded by friends and family, Justin McLaughlin spoke, through his grief, of his niece Natalya Le, who died with her parents and two siblings when the house was consumed by fire on Feb. 7. How one of the 17-year-old’s high school friends had texted him, saying, “She was always the shoulder I could lean on. I’m so thankful for such a great person as she being a part of my life. She made school a better place.

Feb. 28, 6:00 a.m. ET
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Photos: The East Lansdowne scene and aftermath

Feb. 28, 6:45 a.m. ET
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Deaths of the Le family an ‘unspeakable tragedy,’ and the relative who killed them, ‘evil,’ DA says

As law enforcement pulled the final remains of a young family from the ashes of their home, the weight of what was lost began to set in across a tight-knit Delaware County community.

“We are hurting. We are in pain,” said East Lansdowne Mayor Majovie Bland.