Multiple fatalities in Laurel

LAUREL —  Multiple fatalities have been reported and the community of Laurel is in lockdown as law enforcement agencies from around the region search for clues and a suspect in a violent case here.

Neb. State Patrol spokesman Cody Thomas confirmed there are multiple victims in the case. He said the situation includes multiple scenes in Laurel and is an active investigation.

Crime scene tape cordoned off an area along Elm Street in Laurel. The area was surrounded Thursday morning by law enforcement vehicles from the city of Laurel, the Cedar County Sheriff’s Department and the Nebraska State Patrol.

Several Laurel businesses, the swimming pool and school were all on lock down.

Emergency sirens went off twice in Laurel early this morning. The sirens first went off around 3:30 a.m. Sirens again went off at 9:45 a.m. for a house fire at the Gene and Jan Twiford residence.

It is unknown at this time whether either incident is related to the investigation.

State Patrol officials said they plan to speak to the media late this afternoon.