A man reportedly drove a 3,000-mile round trip to kill a teenager over a gaming dispute – then is believed to have shot himself as police swooped to arrest him.
The 23-year-old suspect was found dead from a gunshot wound as cops moved to arrest him in connection with the alleged murder of 18-year-old Matthew Thane.
Mr Thane was shot dead at about 6am on Tuesday at his home in Texas, USA, according to news.com.au.
The publication reports that the following night, SWAT police descended on a house in Pleasanton, California – 1,600 miles away from where Mr Thane lived in Flower Mound.
But on arriving at the house at around 11pm, they found the suspect dead inside.
(Image: Google Maps)
Evidence reportedly found on the man’s mobile phone linked him to the murder in Texas, Mercury News reported.
A police official told the Mercury News that the suspect, wearing a helmet and jeans, set a propane tank on fire outside Matthew’s house on Green Meadow Lane to lure him outside before shooting him.
A search of his home uncovered evidence connecting him to the murder, according to police.
Flower Mound police Capt. Shane Jennings said officials were probing whether the killing was relating to an online gaming dispute.
Mobile phone data showed that he made the trip to Texas and back – totalling around 3,355 miles – within 72 hours.
(Image: Facebook)
A GoFundMe page has since been set up to raise funds for Mr Thane’s heartbroken family.
The page, which has so far raised more than $21,000 (£16,000) says: “Matthew never failed to put a smile on someone’s face and brighten their day.
“He was such a unique character, one of a kind. Let’s come together and support his family in this time of need.”
Almost 400 people have so far donated to the page, including one of Mr Thane’s teachers, who said: “I remember he had the sweetest smile and was just a great person.
“My heart breaks for his family and friends and their unimaginable loss. Prayers and love to you all.”
The suspect’s identity and official cause of death will be confirmed after the Alameda County Coroner’s Bureau release.
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