Illinois shooting five dead: Five people were shot to death Wednesday at a house in a west-central Illinois town and a suspect was fatally wounded in a police chase from an exchange of gunfire with the officers.

Illinois State Police spokeswoman Monique Bond told the Associated Press that the Illinois shooting five dead at the house in Manchester were homicide victims, but could not confirm how they died, though they believe it was from a shooting.

A six-year-old girl was found alive, according to State Police Lt. Col. Todd Kilby. The girl is in serious condition at St. John's Hospital in Springfield, according Molly Wilson, a spokeswoman for the hospital.

"This shows tragedy can happen anywhere," said the Rev. Robin Lyons of Manchester United Methodist Church, one of two churches in the community.

Manchester had a population of 354, according to the 2000 U.S. Census.

The Illinois shooting five dead have not been identified by authorities for the incident that took place at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Officers responded after a neighbor called 911 to report gunshots coming from the home, Manchester Mayor Ronald Drake told the AP. The neighbor described the vehicle leaving the house and police issued an alert. When police spotted the vehicle with the suspect "there was a shootout and police shot him," Drake said.

In a brief statement to reporters, Kilby said the suspect, who had several weapons, was pronounced dead at a hospital after the chase and gunfire exchange.

The suspect in the Illinois shooting five dead has yet to be identified. No relationship between the suspect and the victims has been identified either.