Sisters murdered in Merced County; deputies fatally shoot suspect
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Turlock police are sharing new details about how Merced County Sheriff's deputies opened fire on the man wanted in a double murder.
Family members are mourning the deaths of two sisters who they believe were gunned down by the same man in Merced County. Relatives have identified one victim as Ronda Cupit-Hiatt and say she was killed by her husband who also murdered Lisa Dennis-Robbins.
"I don't know how to feel. I know he loved Ronda and we all really loved her. We don't understand why he did what he did," said Ashley Cox. She added, "There is no way to describe what we are going to miss together. We are going to miss everything -- their presence."
Deputies got the 911 call on Friday night from a neighborhood near Hilmar. There they found the bodies of the two women shot to death in the 11100 block of Lander Avenue, but the gunman got away. After searching several hours they traced the suspected shooter to Turlock on Saturday morning.
Cellphone video captured the rapid gunfire after deputies found the wanted man in the 200 block of South Walnut Road.
"We do believe the suspect who was fatally shot here was directly associated with the homicide," said Mayra Lewis with Turlock police.
Police say the suspect was armed during the officer-involved shooting.
A woman who didn't want to be on camera says that suspect who died at the scene was her uncle, Brian Hiatt.
"It makes me feel disgusted at my uncle for doing such a thing and I feel sorry for their families. At the same time I feel hurt because he's my uncle," she said.
The two deputies who opened fired are now on paid administrative leave, which is standard department policy.
Family members of the two women who were killed are trying to raise money for their funeral expenses. For more information, visit www.gofundme.com/9q9ixw.
