California police kill man who allegedly murdered family of teen he met online and kidnapped
Share and Follow

Virginia lawman identified as suspect in Riverside triple homicide


Virginia man identified as suspect in Riverside triple homicide

03:03

Police killed a man in Southern California late last week after he opened fire on a SWAT team that had been dispatched to chase down his car on an eastbound freeway, authorities said. 

The man, identified as 28-year-old Austin Lee Edwards, was wanted in connection with a triple homicide in the city of Riverside nearby and was considered armed and dangerous, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. 

Edwards was accused of murdering 69-year-old Mark Winek, 65-year-old Sharie Winek and 38-year-old Brooke Winek at a home in Riverside’s La Sierra neighborhood, which had gone up in flames by the time police arrived, CBS Los Angeles reported. Authorities alleged that Edwards kidnapped a teenage girl from the home after committing the grisly crime that took the lives of her grandfather, grandmother and mother.

She was not harmed during the police pursuit of Edwards and was taken into protective custody, according to CBS Los Angeles.

As the station reported, officers at the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office believe that Edwards was involved in an online catfishing scheme that targeted the teenager. They say he traveled from his home in North Chesterfield, Virginia, to California in order to pursue the girl after acquiring her personal information. Riverside police said Edwards was a former officer with the Virginia State Police who, more recently, worked at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in southwestern Virginia.

“This is yet another horrific reminder of the predators existing online who prey on our children,” said Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez, according to CBS L.A. “If you’ve already had a conversation with your kids on how to be safe online and on social media, have it again. If not, start it now to better protect them.” 

Police say they spotted Edwards driving a red Kia Soul on Highway 247 last Friday night. Because the vehicle matched a description of the car linked to the triple homicide in La Sierra, aviation units with both the sheriff’s department and California Highway Patrol followed the Kia from a distance until a SWAT team was nearby, authorities said. 

austin-lee-edwards-photo.jpg
Austin Edwards, 28, was killed by California police during a car chase on Friday, Nov. 25.

Riverside PD


The SWAT team intercepted Edwards’ car as he began traveling east on Highway 62, at which point, the suspect fled and subsequently proceeded to fire at officers, striking the SWAT vehicle multiple times, according to the sheriff’s department. The car chase ended when Edwards “lost control” of his vehicle and drove off the road, the department said, adding that he was killed by officers upon stepping out of the Kia Soul and firing again in their direction. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and an autopsy will be conducted to formally determine a cause of death.

By the time Edwards was killed, the teenager had already been rescued by police, the sheriff’s department said.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Mark Winek’s name.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
This image provided by the Georgia Department of Corrections shows inmate Willie James Pye. A judge on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, signed the order for the execution of Pye, who was convicted of murder and other crimes in the November 1993 killing of Alicia Lynn Yarbrough. The execution is set for March 20 at 7 p.m., after the judge set an execution window between noon that day and noon on March 27. (Georgia Department of Corrections via AP)

Man Requests Clemency to Prevent Potential First Execution in Georgia in Over 4 Years

ATLANTA (AP) — A Georgia man should not be executed because he…
Jax Beach St. Patrick's Day shootings leave one dead, two injured

One Fatality and Two Injuries in St. Patrick’s Day Shootings at Jax Beach

One shooting on Sunday left a 21-year-old man dead, as Jacksonville Beach…
The FAA is auditing Boeing's 737 Max 9 production and supplies to ensure quality control

Boeing Instructs Airlines to Inspect Pilot Seats Following an Incident Where an Unintended Shift Caused an Aircraft to Dive

Boeing is telling airlines to inspect switches on pilots’ seats in its…
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin vows fight against tianeptine, known as 'gas station heroin,' citing ABC7 I-Team report

Illinois Senator Dick Durbin Commits to Battling ‘Gas Station Heroin,’ Tianeptine, Following ABC7 I-Team Investigation

CHICAGO (WLS) — As sales of the widely available opioid-like supplement tianeptine,…
2024 primary election tomorrow: How low voter turnout in Illinois election could help Bring Chicago Home supporters

2024 Primary Election Imminent: Potential Impact of Decreased Voter Participation in Illinois on Advancing “Bring Chicago Home” Initiative

CHICAGO (WLS) — The final push is now on to get voters…
Supreme Court seems favorable to Biden administration over efforts to combat social media posts

Supreme Court Appears Supportive of Biden Administration’s Efforts to Curb Social Media Posts

The Supreme Court seemed likely Monday to side with the Biden administration…
Florida zoo staff find baby giraffe dead with broken neck: 'Devastating'

Florida Zoo Workers Discover Newborn Giraffe Deceased with Neck Fracture: Described as ‘Heartbreaking’

A 3-month-old female giraffe died at Zoo Miami after breaking its neck…
Dodgers players go viral after their hilarious reaction to first pitch

Dodgers Players’ Hilarious Reaction to First Pitch Goes Viral

LA Dodgers players had a humorous reaction to a ceremonial first pitch…