Butler Twp. shooting suspect facing local, federal charges; ‘Long way to go’ in investigation

BUTLER TWP. — UPDATE @ 5 p.m.

Butler Twp. Police Chief John Porter said there is a “long way to go” in the investigation into the quadruple fatal shooting at a press conference Wednesday afternoon.

Porter was joined by members of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Vandalia Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, according to a media advisory from an FBI spokesperson.

Stephen Marlow, 39, has been named the primary suspect in the killings of Clyde and Eva Knox, and Sarah and Kayla Anderson. All four were shot and killed at two homes on Hardwicke Place Friday.

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Porter said Wednesday that he was not aware of the personal relationship between Marlow and any of the victims or what the extent of his previous interaction with any of them beyond being their neighbor.

Investigators are looking back at as much of Marlow’s history as possible. Porter said that over the last five years, officers had six to eight contacts at Marlow’s parents’ home on Haverstraw Avenue, but now all contacts were with Marlow himself.

Marlow has been charged with 13 counts in Vandalia Municipal Court including:

• 8 counts of aggravated murder
• 4 counts of aggravated burglary
• 1 count of weapons under disability

Porter said Wednesday that Marlow faces two counts of aggravated murder for each victim. One count is for committing aggravated murder while committing aggravated burglary with a deadly weapon and the other is for committing aggravated murder while committing aggravated burglary and causing serious harm.

Marlow has been charged federally with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Porter said there is the potential for additional state or federal charges.

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Following a nationwide manhunt, Marlow was taken into custody Saturday night by police in Lawrence, Kansas.

Prior to being caught, Porter said they had received tips and information that made them believe Marlow was in the Lawrence area.

Porter said a Lawrence police officer spotted Marlow’s vehicle and made a traffic stop on it. He said Marlow got out of his vehicle, followed the officer’s commands, and was safely taken into custody.

On Wednesday, officials were unable to speak on where Marlow got the weapon he used in the shooting. Additionally, they could not comment on if Marlow had weapons on him when he was taken into custody because they haven’t gotten all the evidence information back from Kansas.

Daryl McCormick, Special Agent in Charge at ATF, said investigators are looking into how Marlow was able to get a gun since he was a prohibited person due to a prior felony conviction.

An official from the FBI said the there was documentation of Marlow sending letters to their agency. The official said the couldn’t confirm if any letters made it to any offices, but they were looking into where those letters may have gone.

Porter declined to discuss the contents of the manifesto Marlow allegedly wrote.

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Porter told media Wednesday that this investigation has been stressful for the entire department, as well as assisting departments.

“It’s very taxing and takes a very big toll on everybody,” Porter said.

Wednesday’s press conference will come 90 minutes after Marlow’s second court appearance in Douglas County, Kansas where Marlow’s lawyer said his client intends to waive extradition. Porter said they have not made plans for extradition as there is still at least one more court appearance Marlow’s extradition is officially waives.

Anyone with information about Marlow or the incident are asked to call 1-800-225-5324 or (937)-222-7867.

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