By MONROE ROARK
Staff Writer

Deputies answering a 911 call Tuesday morning uncovered perhaps the largest mass murder in Fayette County history, with four women fatally shot in a subdivision east of Fayetteville.

Two adult females, along with a 16-year-old girl and a 3-year-old girl, were found dead inside the home at 225 Deer Forest Rd., Sheriff Randall Johnson said at a Tuesday afternoon press conference.

A suspect, identified only as a 65-year-old male, was found outside the house when deputies arrived and surrendered to authorities without incident. He gave a statement, but Johnson and District Attorney Bill McBroom refused to divulge any details.

Authorities were still attempting to notify next of kin at the time of the press conference, so the victims were not identified by press deadline.

Johnson said the suspect, who has not been charged, was probably related to the victims, but would not say anything beyond that. He is in the Fayette County Jail and has no prior criminal history, Johnson said.

Deputies also recovered what they believe is the weapon used in the killings, pending ballistic tests.

Johnson, who has been Fayette County's sheriff for 23 years, said he does not know of a similar situation with as many murders in the county's history.

Authorities were not certain at the time of the press conference who placed the 911 call.