Still no ID on man killed in Montco home invasion

Almost two days after a home invasion left one man dead and another injured in Upper Gwynedd Township, police on Friday said they still do not know the identity of the dead intruder.

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said investigators were expanding their efforts to identify the man, one of five who ambushed a family Wednesday night in front of its home.

"It's progressing, it's very active" was all she would say of the investigation.

Jermaine R. Edwards, the homeowner and apparent target of the attack, remained hospitalized Friday recovering from multiple gunshot wounds.

The intruders hid in a shed before forcing Edwards, his wife, and his young daughters into their home on Hancock Road in North Wales about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, police said.

Inside the house, more than 20 shots were exchanged, police said. Ballistics tests showed that three weapons - two 9mm pistols and a .45-caliber handgun - were involved. They have not been recovered, Ferman said.

Authorities said Edwards fired back, and the hail of bullets was so intense that one investigator likened it to the gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

Edwards' wife and daughters were not injured. The other intruders escaped after the shooting.

An autopsy on the body of the intruder revealed that he died of multiple gunshot wounds. Montgomery County Coroner Walter I. Hofman said the body had four or five entrance wounds, suggesting that bullets were ricocheting around the room.

"Some of the bullets went in and came out and went in again," Hofman said.

Because the dead man could not be identified, the coroner's office was handling the body as a John Doe, Hofman said. He said no one had called seeking to claim the body.

"We're hoping that someone realizes their brother or son or dad hasn't shown up," Hofman said.

Hofman said the body had many tattoos, but he would not characterize them.

"They certainly are very recognizable," Hofman said "They will certainly mean something to somebody."