JUPITER, Fla. — A manhunt is under way across South Florida today for a male relative suspected in the slayings of four people including a child in bed who were shot to death during a family Thanksgiving gathering.

Police said 17 relatives were in the house when the shootings were reported around 10 p.m. Thursday in Jupiter, a small coastal town about 90 miles north of Miami.

Jupiter Police Sgt. Scott Pascarella said they were looking for Paul Michael Merhige, 35, of Miami. Merhige is a cousin of the 6-year-old victim, McKayla Sitton, police said.

The others killed were all women. They were named as Raymonde Joseph, 76, Carla Merhige and Lisa Merhige. The two women were 33-year-old twin sisters, and sisters of Paul Merhige.

Authorities said a fifth victim, Patrick McKnight, was being treated at a hospital. His condition was not available.

Pascarella said the shootings took place inside the house.

"What led to this incident, we're not quite sure," Pascarella said. "It did not appear there was any altercation prior to this shooting."

Police said the home was owned by Jim Sitton, a photojournalist for WPTV-TV and father of the little girl killed. Sitton told WPTV his daughter was in bed when she was shot. He was at the party at the time of the shooting but was not wounded.

The relationship between Sitton and Paul Merhige was unclear, police said.