New Information on Murders - FOX 25/48 - WLAX/WEUX La Crosse & Eau Claire News

La Crosse police released new information about the double murder on main street. 56 year old Paul Petras and 19 year old AJ Petras, owner and son of Mays Photo where shot to death between 2 and 5pm on Saturday.

Police Captain Robert Lawrence says that it was Paul's wife that was the one that found her husband and son.

"Mr. Petra's had not come home and his wife had made several attempts to contact him. When those calls failed, she then went to May's Photo. At the business she found the crime scene and then fled to go get help," said Captain Lawrence.

There are no specific suspect or suspects as of yet. The first 48 hours of the investigation have been dedicated to gathering information.

"A lot of businesses have surveillance and they are going to be instrumental in this case," said Captain Lawrence.

This is the 3rd and 4th homicide in La Crosse just this year. Police admit that the number of homicides has greatly alarmed them but don't believe the homicides are in any way related to one another. Captain Lawrence says that this double homicide seems to be an isolated incident.

"There is nothing in the investigation that suggests specific targeting of this business but we are looking at every aspect of it," said Captain Lawrence.

Owners and employees of business's close to Mays Photo like Finnottes Nut and Candy shop, and Crescent Jewelers are shocked that something like this happened only a few doors down from them while they were still working.

The unanswered questions of why? and who? has left everyone a little scared.

"This was not a car accident, not dying from cancer or old age. This was by someone else's hand and that's what makes this horrific," said Finnottes Owner, Laurie Finn.

"This is a confusing time and really sad not knowing why or have any suspects at the time," said Gold Smith at Crescent Jewelers, Harry Mcilvaine.

Police are asking that all students who attended the Mays Photo classroom session that ended at approximately at 2p.m. contact the police immediately. Also, anyone who thinks that they may have observed anything out of the ordinary in the downtown main street area between 1:30 and 5p.m. on Saturday should contact the police as well.