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Motive sought in deadly firefighter ambush

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    David Lee Miller reports from New York

  • Duration 3:37
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Yet we do we get right to what we begin with the Fox News alert out of upstate New York S authorities pieced together what led to what gunmen opening fire yesterday on Christmas Eve.

At four firefighters.

Who were battling an intense inferno.

Investigators say the gunman set his home on fire to lure the first responders.

And then proceeded to ambush them killing to -- injuring two others the gunman identified as an ex con then.

Killed himself.

The police now have the gruesome task of looking for more victims in the charred ruins.

The first having -- under control -- seven houses that have been totally destroyed.

At the scene is still on active our crime scene.

We have yet to get into any of -- homes.

Our David Lee Miller is following this story live from our New York studios and David -- -- first responders doing what they do best going into the scene of a fire -- Never expect anything like this especially on Christmas C.

In -- that for me this story especially tragic.

And other questions are there more victims what was the motive for the ambush that killed two firefighters in the Rochester suburb of -- New York.

That's what authorities are still trying to figure out this Christmas Day.

Last -- about a hundred people attended a memorial vigil mourners left flowers and carried a hand written sign that said thanks for protecting us rest in peace.

The firefighters killed a 43 year old Michael -- -- and nineteen year old Tomas could -- got.

The two wounded fighter fighters remaining guarded condition at a Rochester hospital.

The tragedy unfolded early yesterday morning when they responded to a blaze.

-- -- met with gunfire one of the injured firefighters called -- radio dispatcher for -- -- Local police arrived in an exchange gunfire with the shooters 62 year old William spangler.

Authorities say spangler then took his own life shooting himself in the head.

Spangler was no stranger to law enforcement he served seventeen years in prison and a manslaughter conviction for beating his grand mother to death with a hammer.

He was released in 1998 and was on parole until six years ago.

Yesterday he snapped an armed with a pistol at a rifle went on the deadly Rampage.

Authorities say spangler is criminal past raises serious questions about how he was able to obtain firearms.

Spangler was convicted felon so it doesn't he know he's not allowed to possess weapons so.

You know did -- legally possess those weapons -- You know we hit all kinds of how weapons larceny is both in town and around the county.

In Oregon has a place I don't know where those officers from what we're certainly referendum.

Still unaccounted for this morning is spangler is 67 year old sister with whom he had a strained relationship.

The massive fire destroyed a total of seven homes making it difficult to search for what might be additional victims.

And as for spring -- similar why he went on this Rampage well there's still no known motive.

But when his mother died two years ago the obituary asked for donations to the west Webster fireman's association.

That's the very same fire department.

We've been victims all serve as volunteers.

Kelly.

David Lee what a grim story on this Christmas Day we appreciate that update please keep us informed us we.

Continue to follow that story.

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