I believe the police probably have the right to know, but as much as I'd like to know so much about the case, I don't feel that I have the right to any information that doesn't directly impact me. That doesn't stop me from trying to learn more.
I would expect him to use a gun to control them at first, I think that somebody would have heard if a gun were shot. I was also told a long time ago that victims are more likely to try to escape if a gun is used than if a knife is. I'm not sure if that's true or why, but I agree with you.