Four people dead in murder-suicide; victims appear to be minors

Police officers found three people shot dead inside a home two hours after responding to what appeared to be a suicide, both incidents may be related, according to police.

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5:54 p.m.

El Centro Police Department (ECPD) officers say the incident looks like a murder-suicide and it may involve minors.

Officers were called out the 800 Palmview Avenue at 11:39 a.m. for shots fired. When they got there they found a man who appeared to have shot himself.

At 1:45 p.m., just shy of two hours later, someone requested a welfare check on family members in the 2000 block of Elm Avenue.

When police got there they found three people dead from gunshots inside the home. Officers say some of the victims may be minors.

Officers say they called for paramedics, however, the victims were already dead.

It is believed the two incidents are related.

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4:25 p.m.

ECPD officials say the victims’ families asked police to do a welfare check at the home on Elm Avenue off of La Brucherie.

Police say they are handling the investigation as a homicide.

Officers say they know how the victims died but are not able to share that information.

We will continue to bring you updates on this story as they come into our newsroom.