File picture of Erbie Bowser, accused of killing four in a shooting rampage in Texas
A gunman threw an explosive device during a rampage that left four people dead and four injured in two Texas homes, police said today.
The gunman was arrested without incident when police arrived at the second home and initial reports indicated he was stunned, and muttering his name and a military rank and serial number.
Police have not yet identified the suspect and could not confirm whether he was a current or former member of the military.
"We do believe this is a domestic related incident," Corporal Melissa Frank of the DeSoto police department told reporters.
Police got a call after dark on Wednesday when a woman, concerned about her daughter after a disturbing phone call, went to a Dallas home and discovered the carnage.
Her daughter, who is about 43, was dead as was her 17-year-old granddaughter. Her grandson, 14, was shot as was a 17-year-old girl who was visiting at the time.
She told police to check a home in the nearby suburb of DeSoto. While police were rushing there they received a call from a child begging for help.
When they arrived at about 10:45 pm they discovered two women had been shot dead while two boys, aged 11 and 13, were wounded.
Local media identified the shooter as a former school teacher and member of an all-male Dallas Mavericks dance troup.
Family members told KDFW news that Erbie Bowser, 44, opened fire at his girlfriend's house, killing Toya Smith, 43, and her daughter Tasmia Allen. Her wounded son was identified as Storm Malone.
He then drove to his ex-wife's home in DeSoto, but it is not yet clear if she was among the two women killed there.
Social media reported that a grenade was tossed in the DeSoto home but police said they could not yet confirm what type of explosive was used.