'A very violent fit of rage'

McGinnis

Police in Sacramento, California, are searching for 27-year-old Ukrainian immigrant Nikolay Soltys. He's suspected of killing his pregnant wife and four other relatives. CNN Correspondent Rusty Dornin spoke with Captain John McGinness with the Sacramento Sheriff's Department about his background.

DORNIN: Captain, is there any indication from his background in the Ukraine that something like this -- that he had this kind of temperament?

MCGINNESS: Apparently, he did have a domestic violence history with a former wife in the Ukraine. In terms of specific details, frankly, we don't have that yet. But there is evidence to support that there was some domestic violence in that relationship.

VIDEO Sacramento authorities say suspect is a member of victims' family of Ukrainian immigrants (August 20) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)   EXTRA INFORMATION Gallery: Sacramento killings   Map: Key locations in California slayings     RESOURCES Message board: Family violence

DORNIN: Also I understand that he applied to get into the Ukrainian Army?

MCGINNESS: That's correct. And he was denied enlistment into the Ukrainian Army for apparently mental reasons. But more specifically, frankly, we don't know.

DORNIN: Now, it seems unusual, I mean, the act of rage -- very intense to stab his wife, drive another 12 miles and kill four more people.

MCGINNESS: Yes, very much so. After having apparently killed his wife in a very violent fit of rage, traveled those 12 miles that you referred to, and then engaged in conversation with the relatives of that home and appeared to be very normal, before he ultimately apparently took their lives as well.

DORNIN: Now, I understand he was unemployed, and there is no indication of motive at this point.

MCGINNESS: No indication of motive. He had just recently terminated employment, for what reason, frankly, we don't know. And he was to enroll in community college yesterday. That was the plan, but it didn't materialize.