Answer sought to why Stone had guns while on probation

As they review Bradley Stone's deadly rampage Monday, Montgomery County investigators said they do not know why the Marine veteran - who had three DUI arrests, a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, and a bitter custody dispute over his two daughters - was not stripped of his guns as required under the terms of his probation.

"We don't know the answers" yet, Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman acknowledged in an e-mail Thursday. She said the investigation was continuing.

Criminal defendants are typically required to surrender any weapons. Former law enforcement officials and experts said enforcing such a provision usually falls to a court's probation department.

Judge William Furber Jr., who heard Stone's 2013 DUI case and as the county's chief judge presides over the probation department, declined Thursday to discuss the matter.

In a statement, Furber wrote: "Mr. Stone did not have a record of violence, and he showed no violent tendencies while in the program. Our court community is at a loss to explain his actions."

Pressed for details outside his chamber, Furber said, "Ethically, as a judge, I cannot comment."

Stone bought a .40-caliber handgun in 2011 and had a 9mm Beretta that he also legally purchased, according to a warrant unsealed Tuesday. Under terms of his probation - and a contract he signed and Furber referenced during the sentencing in Veterans Treatment Court - Stone agreed to not possess firearms or weapons.

Both guns were used in Monday's attack, the warrant said.

One was recovered at the apartment of his ex-wife, Nicole Stone, in Harleysville; shell casings from the other were found at the Lansdale home where Stone killed his ex-wife's mother and grandmother. He also killed his ex-wife's sister, brother-in-law, and niece in their Souderton home.

Probation agents typically gather information about a defendant during a presentencing review.

Potential red flags - such as alcohol or drug abuse, or behavioral issues - can be used to adjust the terms of their probation, according to Martin Horn, commissioner of probation for New York City from 2002 to 2009.

In an interview, Horn, who said that he was not familiar with Montgomery County procedures, also said the process can rely on a defendant's word, and it can be difficult to prove certain aspects of his background.

There might be no way of knowing, for example, if a defendant had an unregistered gun. Probationers could hide the weapon or claim they sold it or gave it to a relative.

"It's one of the inherent flaws of probation," Horn said.

Bradley Stone's body was found Tuesday in the woods not far from his Pennsburg home, with an injured leg and pill bottles nearby, investigators said. The coroner has yet to determine the cause of death and is awaiting toxicology reports.

The Department of Veterans Affairs, which was treating Stone for PTSD as recently as last week, said it was continuing to review his treatment history. Stone's psychiatrist at the Coatesville VA Medical Center said on Dec. 8 that Stone was "without any suicidal or homicidal ideation."

The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, meanwhile, was preparing to ask the VA for a "detailed history" of its interactions with Stone, according to a committee staffer.

Fund-raising also continued for the lone surviving victim, Anthony Flick, 17, who was wounded when Stone killed Flick's mother, Patricia; father, Aaron; and sister Nina, 14.

An online campaign organized by Flick's friends, at gofundme.com/fundsforflick, reported more than $21,500 in donations as of Thursday night.

The Souderton Area School District is planning a vigil Monday.