By William Cole For Mailonline
Published: 10:56 EDT, 22 December 2021 | Updated: 11:13 EDT, 22 December 2021
Police in northern Illinois are hunting an 'evil' triple homicide suspect following the horrific shooting deaths of a man and his two young sons.
Officers found the bodies of Andew Hintt, 31, and his boys, Sebastian, five, and Benjamin, seven, after being called to the family home in Belvidere at around 9.30pm on Sunday.
They had all suffered gunshot wounds and four shell casings were found at the scene. No weapons have been recovered but cops say Hintt's car is missing.
Police in northern Illinois are hunting an 'evil' triple homicide suspect following the horrific shooting deaths of a man and his two young sons. Pictured: Victim Sebastian Hintt, five, and borther Benjamin, seven
Officers found the bodies of Andrew Hintt, 31, and his two sons at their family home in Belvidere at around 9.30pm on Sunday
The bodies were found after the boys' mother contacted the landlord to say she had not heard from anyone in the family. The landlord called 911 and officers responded, police said.
During a press conference, Belvidere Police Chief Shane Woody said the deaths are being investigated as a triple homicide, and called the killings 'senseless'.
'Whoever did this horrific act is truly evil,' he said Monday, adding that each of the victims had suffered gunshot wounds.
The bodies were found after the boys' mother contacted the landlord to say she had not heard from anyone in the family. The landlord called 911 and officers responded, police said
The city of Belvidere has a population of around 25,500 is 70 miles northwest of Chicago.
Officers are searching for Hintt's vehicle, a silver or gray 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk with Illinois registration: CT92923.
News of the tragic deaths has left neighbours in shock.
Lacey Allison told MyStateline: 'Andrew was such a good father, his children would always be playing outside… riding their bikes. Just to hear them laugh and giggle, they were very sweet boys.'
During a press conference, Belvidere Police Chief Shane Woody said the deaths are being investigated as a triple homicide, and called the killings 'senseless'
An online effort to pay for memorial services had raised more than $26,000 by Wednesday.
'These boys were energetic, loving, and they brought a smile to those around them,' the GoFundMe page says. 'Their passing has left their friends and families with a void that will never heal.'
Autopsies on the victims are pending.
Police asked anyone who knows anything about the vehicle's whereabouts or anything else regarding the case to contact the Belvidere Police Department at 815-544-2135 or Boone County Crime Stoppers at 815-547-7867.
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