Gunshots Thought To Be New Years Celebration

"TOLLESON, AZ — A father and his two daughters have been found dead inside a home in Tolleson in what police are calling a murder/suicide.

"Police cordoned off an area near 93rd Avenue and West Jefferson around 10 a.m. after getting a call from a relative who found the bodies.

"Tolleson Police Sgt. Obed Gaytan said the girls, ages 6 and 8, had been shot. The father, identified by police as 45-year-old Alejandro Gallardo, died of a self-inflicted gunshot to the head.

"Neighbors and those who work in the area told police they heard screaming coming from the home Wednesday morning.

"`I heard all this crying. Really horrifying crying. So I stopped to see what was going on. If someone was being hurt or someone needed help,` said neighbor Dennis Simms.

"Neighbors also told police they heard what sounded like gunshots or fireworks around midnight, but it seemed normal to them because it was New Year's Eve.

"The children's mother is staying with family at this time.

"Authorities said she was not present when the incident happened.

"The motive for the shooting is unknown at this time."

From abc15.com...