Divers back near scene of holiday shooting

JUPITER, FL-- Divers have returned to a pond a half mile from the scene of a shooting in Jupiter where 6 people were shot and 4 killed Thanksgiving night.

Divers are feeling their way through the murky water. They are looking for anything from a weapon to a Blue Toyota Camry, the car that the suspect Paul Michael Merhige was driving the night of the crimes.

The U.S. Marshals Service has placed Merhige among its top 15 most wanted fugitives.

Police say that on Thanksgiving night Merhige killed 4 people at the Jupiter home of Jim and Muriel Sitton. One of the victims was their 6 year old daughter Makayla.
 
In addition to the pond being searched at the noon hour, a second, about a mile away, is slated to be searched.

New information released by investigators Monday evening revealed Merhige has a large scar on his chest and is known to have the alias of Paul Mariage, Carlo Ribisi and Michael Manis.

Police have confirmed Merhige purchased 4 weapons in the month before the Thanksgiving shootings.

One of the weapons was a Remington .308 rifle with a scope and bipod.

He was last seen driving a 2007 blue four-door Toyota Camry, bearing Florida license plate #W427JT.

Monday Jupiter Police started distributing new wanted posters featuring Merhige's photo and highlighting the $35,000 reward in the case.  Jupiter Police spokesperson Sgt. Scott Pascarella says the posters will go out to police agencies across the state.

However, investigators seem increasingly convinced the suspected killer may no longer be hiding in Florida.  According to a federal arrest warrant, signed by a magistrate Friday, police have "probable cause" to believe Merhige has "fled the State of Florida."

Investigators say Merhige withdrew a "large sum of money" before the crimes, and took his clothes, passport and computer hard drive with him.

The FBI has now joined in the manhunt.

The case was featured in the Saturday broadcast of "America's Most Wanted."  Sgt. Pascarella says the airing resulted in several leads, but "nothing significant."

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Jupiter Police Department at (561)-746-6201 or Palm Beach County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS.