CANFIELD, Ohio - Canfield police are searching for 64 year-old Robert McLaughlin of Painesville.
There's a warrant out for his arrest for the aggravated murder of 40-year-old Stacey Sutera early Wednesday morning.
"He's definitely considered armed and dangerous," warned Canfield Police Chief Chuck Colucci.
Neighbors say they heard gunshots outside Sutera's Carriage Lane condo just after 7:00 a.m.
"I was in bed and there was five loud booms and in between each boom there was a pause and it sounded like a shot gun to me," said one neighbor who asked not to be identified. "And then I heard a crack, crack like a hand gun real fast."
Police found more than one type of slug at the scene of the crime.
McLaughlin has a history of stalking the victim. Police believe he laid in wait for Sutera.
"Right now it appears that the victim was getting in her vehicle, apparently getting ready to leave for work," explained Chief Colucci. "And at that point it appears she was approached by a shooter, and was shot multiple times. It appears that possibly she tried to drive away and there was a car accident."
Police believe McLaughlin fled the scene in a 2012 dark gray Chrysler Town and Country van with the Ohio license plate EZE 9055. McLaughlin rented the van Tuesday.
"He has a vehicle registered to him," said Chief Colucci. "The appearance right now is that he rented this vehicle as a part of whatever plan it was that he had in mind."
Sutera was a mother and a science teacher at Mahoning County Career and Technical Center. Grief counselors are on hand at the school.
"We grieve her because she was a great staff member and she was a young life gone too soon," said MCCTC Superintendent Dr. Roan Craig. "We have all lost a great lady."
Anyone with information on Robert McLaughlin or his vehicle is asked to call Canfield Police at (330) 533-4903.
