Rancho Tehama Shootings Death Toll Rises To 6

RED BLUFF, CA — The death toll from a Northern California shooting spree increased to six on Wednesday, after the suspect's wife was found dead in the couple's home underneath the floor, officials said. Investigators believe two semi-automatic rifles that were manufactured illegally were used in the shooting spree.

The suspect, identified as Kevin Janson Neal, killed five people during a Tuesday morning rampage that started at a residence before he entered the Rancho Tehama Elementary School where he shot at multiple classrooms. Neal then took his shooting spree back on the road where he was eventually killed by two deputies in a shootout. The entire spree lasted about 45-minutes and injured 10 people, seven of whom were children, Tehama County Assistant Sheriff Phil Johnston said Wednesday.

Law enforcement personnel did not publicly identify the Neal, but The Sacramento Bee confirmed his identity with the District Attorney's Office.

The gunman was out on bail after being charged with stabbing a neighbor earlier this year. He was also the subject of a domestic violence call the day on Monday.

Neighbors told the media they repeatedly reported to police that Neal had been firing off hundreds of rounds of ammunition day and night.

Neal's mother said he called her a day before the rampage and told her he was tired from regularly feuding with his meth-cooking neighbors. He said the fumes were hurting his nine dogs and that he felt like he "was on a cliff" with "nowhere to go,"she said.

Rancho Tehama is a small community in Northern California with a population of about 2,100, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The school is about 130 miles north of Sacramento.

The school remains closed as officials investigate the scene.

Photos credit: Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press