Man Kills Niece, Nephew Before Shooting Himself

"NEW ORLEANS, LA — The New Orleans Police Department said it is investigating a murder-suicide incident that occurred in the 2100 block of Pauger Street involving a man and two children.

"Officers said they responded to a call about a shooting and discovered the reporting person to be hysterically crying as she advised the officers that people were shot inside the house.

"According to investigators, a 9-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl were found lying on a sofa with gunshot wounds to the head. Police said they also found a 22-year-old man lying on the floor with a gunshot wound to the head.

"Emergency medical technicians arrived at the scene and pronounced the 9-year-old boy and 22-year-old man dead. The 10-year-old girl was transported to an area hospital where she later died.

"Officers said the woman who called 911 was the two children's mother and the man's brother.

"Police said a preliminary investigation revealed the man was temporarily residing at the residence and suffered from schizophrenia. Investigators said he had stopped taking his medication for an unknown period of time and had been awake for several days.

"Officers said the man had also been drinking and indicated that he was going to sleep. With no provocation, the man fatally shot his niece and nephew while they were asleep, then himself, detectives said.

"Investigators recovered two handguns from the man's possession.

"The man had prior arrests for domestic violence, curfew violations, criminal damage, criminal trespassing and arson, police said.

"Investigators said they are still gathering evidence and information to determine a motive."

From WDSU.com...