Suspect In 7 Slayings Surrenders

INDIANAPOLIS -- A suspect in Thursday night's slayings of seven members of an Indianapolis family surrendered to authorities Saturday evening, police said.

Desmond Turner, 28, of Indianapolis -- suspected in the fatal shootings of three boys and four adults in an east-side Indianapolis house -- surrendered to two officers at a fast-food restaurant near downtown shortly after 7 p.m., Indianapolis Deputy Police Chief Tim Foley said.

Foley said the surrender was arranged by someone who called an officer at the local arrestee processing center. Turner, accompanied by relatives and possibly a minister, went to the restaurant as arranged, and police took him into custody there, Foley said.

"It's my judgment that Mr. Turner had no place to go," Foley said at a press conference. "He didn't turn himself in out of remorse. He turned himself in because he had nowhere to go."

Turner is being held on seven counts of murder and seven counts of felony murder. Prosecutors could choose to seek the death penalty in the case, Foley said.

Authorities said they arrested another man suspected of being involved in the shootings -- James Stewart, 30 -- on Friday afternoon. Stewart also is being held on murder charges.

Foley said Saturday that police believe Turner and Stewart were the only ones involved in Thursday night's shootings at 560 N. Hamilton Ave. Authorities said they believe robbery was the motive -- an acquaintance had told Turner that he would find valuables there, police said. Information on whether anything was taken wasn't available.

Investigators had said information from at least one witness led them to believe Turner was involved. Police said they believe Turner, armed with a rifle, killed most, if not all, of the seven.

The shooting victims included (from left): David Covarrubias; the elder Alberto Covarrubias; Luis Albarran; Emma Valdez; and the younger Alberto Covarrubias. SEVEN RELATIVES SLAIN 6/21: Police Release 911 Calls 6/8: Suspect Withdraws Speedy-Trial Request 6/7: Funeral Held For 6 Of 7 Victims 6/7: Trial Date Set 6/6: Death Penalty Sought Against 1 Suspect 6/5: Affidavit: Suspect Announced Plans To Kill 6/4: Prosecutor To Seek Death Penalty 6/3: Suspect In 7 Slayings Surrenders 6/3: Suspect Not Found In Morning SWAT Search 6/2: Police Miss One Suspect, Arrest Another 6/2: Massacred Family Members Described As Good Neighbors 6/2: Suspect Named In Slayings Of 3 Boys, 4 Adults Video & Slideshows Slideshow: Pictures Of Victims, Crime Scene 6/7: Funeral Held For 6 Of 7 Victims 6/6: Prosecutor Announces Charges 6/6: Site Of Killings 'House Of Horrors,' Prosecutor Says 6/5: Affidavit: Suspect Claimed Victim Pulled Gun 6/4: 7 Slain Relatives Mourned Outside Home 6/3: Suspect In 7 Slayings Surrenders 6/3: Police Press Conference: Suspect Surrenders 6/2: Police Miss One Suspect, Arrest Another 6/2: Community Reacts To Killings 6/2: Killings Evoke Memories Of '81 Murders 6/2: Seven Relatives Slain In Indianapolis House

Among those slain Thursday night were Alberto Covarrubias, 56; Emma Valdez, 46; and their sons Alberto Covarrubias, 11, and David Covarrubias, who was 8 or 9.

Also killed were Valdez's two adult children, Flora Albarran, 22, and Magno Albarran, 29; and Flora Albarran's son, Luis Albarran, 5.

Police said that through Stewart's arrest on Friday, investigators found what they believe could be substantial forensic evidence in the slayings case. Authorities said tips led them to suspect Stewart in the case.

Saturday's arrest of Turner put an end to a massive manhunt. Police raids on six Indianapolis homes Friday and Saturday -- including SWAT team searches of houses on Friday evening and Saturday morning -- had failed to yield Turner.

Turner and Stewart were being held Saturday night with no opportunity for bail.

Police Found Seven Dead In Home

Police learned of Thursday night's shootings through 911 calls at about 10:15 p.m. Thursday. Everyone in the house was dead when officers arrived, and the bodies of the three boys were found in one bed, police said.

Witnesses told police they watched Flora Albarran -- who apparently had come to the home to pick up her son -- walk in the house. A friend of Albarran's, who was in a car outside, and other witnesses told police they heard gunfire and Albarran screaming.

Witnesses said they saw two to four black males emerge from the house after the shootings, but on Friday, police said they believe only Turner and Stewart were directly involved.

Suspect Is On Probation

Police said Turner has a criminal record. He was sentenced in 2002 to six years in prison -- two of which he served -- for a violent crime involving a weapon. He still is on probation for that conviction.

While in prison, Turner took part in a program in which he encouraged parents to talk to their children about gun violence, 6News reported.

Funeral Services Set

A funeral Mass for the older Alberto Covarrubias will be held at noon Tuesday at St. Mary Catholic Church, 317 N. New Jersey St. Burial will follow at Washington Park Cemetery East. A wake will be held at the cemetery on Monday from 4 to 8 p.m.

A funeral for the rest of the slain relatives is scheduled for Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, 1347 N. Meridian St. Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Centers are handling arrangements.

The victims' relatives said they intend to hold a bilingual memorial service outside the victims' home, 560 N. Hamilton Ave., on Sunday at 6 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.