Body of El Cajon Police Shooting Suspect Found

Authorities believe they have found the body of Kevin James Collier—the suspect in the Sunday night shooting of an El Cajon police officer at a home which was later set on fire. Two other bodies have been found in the wake of the blaze, believed set by Collier, in a home in the 1000 block of Prince Street in El Cajon. Collier is reported to have had family in Ramona and had attended Ramona High School.

Police were called to the home at 5:17 p.m. after a neighbor saw a man wielding a gun as he walked to the residence. When officers arrived, a shot was fired from the property and one officer sustained a neck wound. A fire then started in the home, and water drop helicopters and the SWAT team were called in. Some neighbors were evacuated.

The two other bodies found are believed to be Collier's 14-month-old daughter, Rhilee Jean Collier, and his mother-in-law, Beverly Rakov, who lived at the home. It will be up to the medical examiner's office to provide confirmation of the identities in the next few days. The child was found in the backseat of a work truck used by Collier and parked outside the home. The woman thought to be Rakov was found inside the home.

Police reported that Collier sent text messages to his friends saying he had just shot Rhilee and Rakov. The child in the vehicle appeared to have sustained a gunshot wound to the head.

VIDEO: Shooting caught on tape (WARNING: Footage is graphic.)

The identities of the two adults found in the home were not immediately available Monday morning because the bodies were charred beyond recognition.

Ramona High School Principal Tony Newman confirmed Monday that Collier attended Ramona High in the 1993-94 school year and part of 1994-95. A yearbook photo was not immediately available.

As law enforcement worked the scene of the crime Sunday night, it was not known whether Collier had fled the area or whether he was still in the home. Authorities were alerted that Collier had family in Ramona and that it was possible he could have headed to the town if he survived. It's now believed he did not survive.

Police had to wait until Monday afternoon for the El Cajon home to cool off enough to investigate the interior.

El Cajon police, the El Cajon Fire Department, an explosives unit and other investigators worked at the home Monday.

Ruth Lepper contributed to this report.