Inglewood shooting kills father, son as family home torched

Police told neighbors to stay inside their homes as they searched for a suspect who shot and killed a father and his 4-year-old son early Saturday in Inglewood, California.

A woman and two other children were also shot after their home was set on fire, The Associated Press reported.

The suspected gunman also set fire to another building on the property before he started shooting at the family of six, police said.

A SWAT Team and police dog handlers set up a perimeter and searched house-to-house for the suspect, described as a 55-year-old black man, about 5-6 and 160 pounds.

Police found the dead man shielding two of children, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The man and boy later died in hospital.

More from GlobalPost: Madonna angers Colorado fans by using gun on stage

Witnesses told the LA Times the property owner had asked the suspect to leave the property this month.

Judy Castellanos described the man as "really weird," "dangerous" and reclusive, the LA Times said.

He showed up at the property wearing a painter's mask and a dark hat before shooting the five family members.

The mother, shot once in the pelvis and once in the knee, escaped over a fence with the young boy.

First responders found her collapsed in the street.

She's listed in critical condition with a 7-year-old daughter, the LA Times said.

A 6-year-old child is in stable condition while another child, 8, was unhurt.

Police stopped firefighters from entering one of the homes because they believed the suspect was inside, KTLA said.

More from GlobalPost: Girl, 12, shoots intruder while hiding