LAKELAND, Fla. (AP/WFTS) - Authorities in Central Florida say three adults were killed in an apparent murder-suicide on Christmas Eve while four young children were inside the home.
Lakeland police say the children were safely removed from the home after the shooting Tuesday night.
Police say 30-year-old Leighton Josephs was armed with a handgun when he entered the home and shot a man and a woman inside. Josephs was known to both victims, according to police.
The three dead adults all suffered gunshot wounds.
Mary LaRoy, a neighbor, said she is worried for the rescued children after they experienced a traumatic event.
"Children, you know were taken out of the windows," LaRoy said. "Any time those children think about Christmas, they’re going to think about tonight.”
Police say all four of the children are believed to be younger than 10 years old.
The deadly incident remains under investigation and police are urging anyone with information to contact Detective Laura Dunn at laura.dunn@lakelandgov.net or 863-834-6974.