Police alert: 6 adults, 8 children plan mass suicide
PALMDALE, Calif. — Officials in Southern California issued an emergency alert late Saturday for six adults and eight children who are members of a "cult-like" group believed to be planning a mass suicide.
"They were awaiting the rapture or some other catastrophic event," Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Captain Mike Parker said.
Steve Whitmore, a spokesman for the sheriff's department, told a hastily called news conference covered by KNBC that the group believed "they were going to meet Jesus or deceased relatives."
He said deputies were searching the desert for the group, believed to be six adults and six boys and two girls. The children range in age from 3 to 17, Whitmore said.
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