A domestic incident at an Orange County apartment complex turned tragic Friday evening when a father shot his two young daughters before killing himself, according to local authorities.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, deputies arrived at the Palmetto at Lakeside apartments in the 4400 block of S. Rio Grande Avenue at 6:30 p.m. The initial 911 contact reported an armed man chasing a woman across the area.
Upon arrival, deputies found the woman. Although she was physically unharmed, she showed immediate and intense anxiety for the safety of her children, who were in a nearby apartment.
As law enforcement approached the residence, the situation quickly escalated.
“As deputies approached the apartment, they heard several gunshots,” the Orange County Sheriff’s Office stated. “They entered and discovered two little children, ages one and two, who had been shot. Deputies responded to the incident and brought the youngsters to the hospital, where they both died from their injuries.”
Inside the residence, deputies discovered the body of the children’s father. Authorities said he died from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Investigators confirmed that there is no current threat to the neighboring communities. Reflecting on the normal response to the incident, the sheriff’s office stated, “Our hearts are aching as we share this news with you tonight.”
The inquiry into the particular circumstances surrounding the shooting continues.
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