A Christmas night horror unfolded as a couple was found shot dead in a murder-suicide in Houston, Texas, with their three young daughters witnessing the shooting.
The female victim, 34, and the male suspect, 43, were discovered with fatal gunshot wounds inside their family home on Christmas day.
Neither of their names have been released.
The Houston Police Department responded to a shooting call at 4822 Grasilla Street around 10.15pm Monday and found the gruesome scene. The couple’s children – aged six, nine, and 14 – were in the house at the time of what police believed to be a murder-suicide.
The female victim, 34, and the male suspect, 43, were discovered with fatal gunshot wounds inside their family home on Christmas day. According to the police, the couple’s three daughters – aged six, nine, and 14 – were in the house at the time of what police believed to be a murder-suicide
Responding officers found the man and the woman upstairs in a bedroom and learned that they were husband and wife.
The female victim suffered multiple gunshot wounds while the male suspect suffered one gunshot wound, authorities said. Investigators say they believe the husband shot his wife dead.
One of their three daughters reported hearing her parents arguing before multiple gunshots were fired. None of the children were injured.
‘The current information we have, it appears to be a murder-suicide at this time,’ the Houston Police Department’s Lieutenant JP Horelica said.
‘It will be investigated just like any homicide. We will do it thorough just to make sure everything is as it seems,’ he told FOX26.
It’s unclear what led to the Christmas argument that turned fatal.
DailyMail.com has reached out to the Houston Police Department for more information.
One of their three daughters reported hearing her parents arguing before multiple gunshots were fired. None of the children were injured
Homicide detectives spent several hours at the scene investigating to make sure it happened the way the child described, KHOU reported.
Investigators also said a weapon was located inside the home.
The three children are currently with family members, until a permanent home is available.
‘The identities of the female victim, 34, and the male suspect, 43, are pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences,’ the Houston Police Department said in a statement.
‘The incident is believed to be a murder-suicide, pending results of autopsies on the man and woman,’ the statement reads.
‘At this time, we don’t have any information to say otherwise,’ Horelica said.
A family member has established a GoFundMe page to raise funds for funeral costs, living expenses, and mental health resources. It has raised more than $600 as of Tuesday afternoon.
‘I’m fundraising for my three cousins that were left orphaned due to a tragedy on Christmas Day. My aunt and uncle left behind three beautiful children aged 6,9, and 14,’ the website reads.
‘They need all the support possible right now to move forward in this difficult time. Any donation is appreciated to help with funeral costs, life expenses and mental health resources for my cousins.’