Three people, including two young children, were discovered dead in an apparent murder-suicide at a southwest Houston hotel, according to authorities.
Around midday Friday, Houston police responded to a complaint of a shooting at the Residence Inn by Marriott Houston Medical Center/NRG Park on Kirby Drive, between Main Street and Old Spanish Trail.
According to the Houston Fire Department, a mother shot and killed her two small children before shooting herself.
During a Friday afternoon briefing, Houston police said officers came after hotel employees requested help. Staff informed officers that a guest had been staying at the motel since Wednesday and had not been heard from. After checking on the room, hotel personnel noticed that the door was locked from the inside and used a pass key to gain entry, where they discovered the three victims, according to authorities.
Houston police identified the victims as a 40-year-old mother, a 9-year-old boy, and a 6-year-old daughter. Their identity has not been revealed.
Police said the case appears to be a murder-suicide, but the investigation is still underway.
According to police, investigators do not believe the shooting occurred on Friday, but they have yet to determine when the killings occurred.
Houston police also stated that the inquiry looks to involve mental health issues, though officials did not release any additional information. During the briefing, the agency recommended anybody facing a mental health crisis or concerned about someone else seek assistance from local resources, like 211 or 311.
Police suspect the woman was from the Houston area.
This is a developing story, and it will be updated as more information becomes available.
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