Mother and her three children, all below 12 years, found shot to death at their Houston residence
A mother and her three children were found shot to death at their Houston residence.
39-year-old Ashley Auzenne was found dead along with her children 11-year-old Parrish, 9-year-old Eleanor, and 7-year-old Lincoln on Tuesday morning, Click 2 Houston reports.
According to authorities, the bodies were found in different areas inside the home. They also recovered a handgun from the residence located at Deer Park, 20 miles east of Houston.
However, police have said no suspects are being actively sought and that the public is not in danger. Also, they are yet to identify the suspected shooter.
A concerned relative summoned police after having not heard from them in a while. Officers then conducted a welfare check around 8.45 that morning and discovered the tragic scene.
That said, the children's father has spoken to detectives. He split with the mother last year and does not live at the house.
"The Deer Park Police Department is not ready to say exactly how this terrible crime occurred, but it does have enough information to say other citizens in our City have nothing to fear in their own homes," the department said in a statement.
Police did not confirm whether it was a murder-suicide case, but said they do not suspect it was a home invasion.
Neighbor Annette Flores spoke to Click 2 Houston, saying the Auzenne children would often play at her home.
"I'm upset. Children? Really?" she grimaced. "Children are innocent, I mean, I mean, it's just, it's a waste, and it's just really bad, and it makes me angry that someone would take it out on children."
Bonnette Junior High principal John Wegman reached out to parents Tuesday afternoon to inform them that one of the children was a student at the school while the other two were studying at Deer Park Elementary School.
He assured that grief counseling would be made available to all their students throughout the week.
"Reports of the children's deaths have already reached the local news media, which means that rumors will likely spread during the day today," Principal Wegman said. "It's possible that other students might hear about this tragic news, and friends of the three students could have their own needs."