Builders among six killed in US shooting spree

Two construction workers and a deputy sheriff were among six people shot dead by a gunman the US state of Washington yesterday.

The suspect, Isaac Zamora, was living in the woods after being released from jail last month but is said to have previously worked in construction and to have recently acquired a truck to start a painting business.

Zamora, who has a string of minor convictions, is said by his mother to have mental health problems.

Yesterday's incident began in Skagit County, near Seattle, when police were called to a disturbance in Silver Creek Drive, Alger, around 2pm local time.

When 40-year-old deputy sherrif Anne Jackson did not report back, colleagues went to the scene and found her dead, alongside the body of another victim.

Soon afterwards, the bodies of the two construction workers were found at a house under construction along the same street and a fifth body a few houses along. All are believed to have been killed by the same gunman.

The suspect finally handed himself in after a high-speed chase along the I-5 interstate, during which a passing motorist was also shot and killed.