Police find body of suspect in N.J. shootings

A prosecutor says 15-year police veteran Edward Lutes was found dead in his car.

OCEAN COUNTY, New Jersey (CNN) -- New Jersey authorities have identified a body as that of a police officer suspected of going on a shooting spree Tuesday night in two Ocean County, New Jersey, townships that killed five people and wounded two others.

Ocean County prosecutor Greg Sackowicz said officials have positively identified the body as Edward Lutes, a 15-year veteran of the Seaside Heights Police Department. He appeared to have died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a vehicle, Sackowicz said.

The shootings happened around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. Two of the victims were discovered in a house behind Lutes' home, and three other victims were discovered in a house across the street from it. Police would not release their names.

A person was also wounded in the leg near Lutes' residence and was taken to a hospital.

CNN NewsPass VIDEO Authorities in the U.S. state of New Jersey say they have found the body of a police officer suspected of killing five people and wounding two others. CNN's Michael Okwu reports (April 10) Play video

Police believe that after the shootings in Dover Township, Lutes went to nearby Barnegat Township and shot Seaside Heights Police Chief James Costello three times at his home.

Barnegat Police Capt. Joseph Manger said Costello is in stable condition at Jersey Shore Medical Center.

Police would not speculate on a motive for any of the shootings.