In brief: Suspect arrested in killing of five

SAN FRANCISCO – A San Francisco man was arrested Sunday on suspicion of killing five people in a home, leaving a gruesome crime scene that has investigators struggling to identify the victims and determine the causes of death.

Binh Thai Luc, 35, was taken into custody Sunday morning and booked on five counts of murder, police Chief Greg Suhr said.

The victims still have not been identified and police have not been able to determine the exact causes of death or offer a motive for the slayings.

Suhr declined to say what led investigators to Luc, saying only that the suspect knew the victims and that an “edged weapon” was involved in the slayings. He said Luc had a prior criminal record, but did not elaborate.

Investigators did not believe the killings were gang-related, Suhr said.

Two Mississippi college students killed

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant on Sunday expressed his sorrow at the shooting deaths of two college students in the state over the weekend.

Late Saturday, 21-year-old John Sanderson, of Madison, Miss., was shot to death in a Mississippi State University dormitory, though the killing appears to be isolated, according to university officials.

Early Sunday, a 19-year-old freshman at Jackson State University died from being shot in the face and killed at an off-campus apartment pool party in Jackson. Police identified the victim as Nolan Ryan Henderson III, of Atlanta.

Bryant said in a statement that he and his wife were “saddened to learn that Mississippi lost two college students this weekend.” He said he’s spoken with university leaders and instructed the state public safety commissioner to assist in the investigations.

“Those perpetuating these crimes will be apprehended and held accountable,” he said. “Mississippi does not take these instances lightly, and rest assured, we will continue to provide a safe learning environment for students at all our Mississippi College and University campuses.”

Four die in Bahamas plane crash

NASSAU, Bahamas – Four people died when their small plane crashed Sunday shortly after taking off from a tiny airport in the Bahamas en route to Fort Pierce, Fla., authorities said.

Police Superintendent Paul Rolle said two women and two men were killed in the early afternoon accident at Treasure Cay’s airport on Abaco island, a popular boating and sailing destination. He said authorities were withholding their identities until relatives could be notified.

A police statement issued Sunday evening said the victims were believed to be U.S. citizens who live in South Florida.