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Wisconsin Salon Shooting: Suspect Radcliffe Haughton found dead, had history of abuse, police say

Radcliffe Haughton AP Photo/Brookfield Police Dept.

(CBS/AP) BROOKFIELD, Wis. - A Wisconsin man accused of opening fire at the salon where his wife worked, killing three women and wounding four others, was found dead inside the building where he went on a rampage.

PICTURES: Shooting sprees in 2012

Police said Radcliffe Haughton, 45, started shooting around 11 a.m. Sunday at the Azana Day Spa, a two-story, 9,000-square-foot building across from a major shopping mall. The first officers on the scene found the building filled with smoke from a fire authorities believe was set by Haughton, Brookfield Police Chief Dan Tushaus said.

The shootings set off a six-hour search for the gunman that locked down a nearby mall, a country club adjacent to the spa and the hospital where the survivors were taken for much of the day. Haughton was found dead in the spa after police say he killed himself.

Brookfield police said Haughton damaged his wife's tires on Oct. 4, a few weeks prior to the shooting. He was arrested after witnesses identified him as the culprit.

His wife sought court protection four days later, and a judge granted a four-year restraining order on Thursday. As part of the order, Haughton was prohibited from owning a firearm.

Tushaus declined to elaborate on the circumstances of whether Haughton had surrendered any weapons prior to Sunday's salon rampage. Tushaus also said he wasn't immediately aware of a motive.

"I can tell you we're not seeking additional suspects," he said at a news conference Sunday evening. "The community can feel safe."

Authorities said they were still interviewing witnesses and rescuers and didn't have a firm timeline of events. At Sunday's news conference, Brookfield Mayor Steve Ponto called the shootings "a senseless act on the part of one person."

Tushaus said investigators were still working to identify the victims, whose bodies were found in the spa. He said the four survivors were between the ages of 22 and 40. He didn't know if they were employees at the spa or customers, and it wasn't clear if Haughton 's wife was among the victims.

Haughton's father, Radcliffe Haughton, Sr., told The Associated Press in telephone interviews from Florida that he last spoke to his son a few days ago, but didn't have any indication anything was wrong. He begged his son to turn himself in.

After learning of his son's death, he said only: "This is very sad."

At the hospital where the victims were taken, staff members were escorted inside during a temporary lockdown. Officers were stationed at entrances, and critically injured patients were admitted with a police escort.

The hospital released a statement saying two women had undergone surgery, and one was in critical condition. Another was expected to have surgery Sunday night.

More on Crimesider
Oct. 21, 2012 - Wisconsin Mall Shooting: 3 dead, 4 injured after gunman opens fire at salon

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