Deputies are investigating a house fire in Michigan as arson in the aftermath of a possible murder-suicide after eight were found dead, some of them having been shot.
The eight deceased were found at a home in Grand Haven Township, 185 miles northwest of Detroit, before noon Friday, Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Jacob Sparks said at a news conference reported by The Associated Press.
The fire started at around 8:30 a.m., according to local news site MLive.
The dead family members, who have not been publicly identified, included six children between the ages of 5 and 15 and two adults who appeared to be in their 40s.
Capt. Sparks said that “it appears to be a murder scene set on fire,” with no suspects in the incident, according to The New York Times.
The sheriff’s office is still investigating the cause of death. Capt. Sparks said that “it’s too early for me to say that it’s a murder-suicide. I can tell you that that’s one theory that we have and we’re still looking to see if we can verify that,” according to Grand Rapids’ WOOD-TV.
Officials have not said how many of the victims were found with gunshot wounds.
In a statement, Grand Haven Area Public Schools said that “it is with deep sadness that we acknowledge reports of a devastating incident in Grand Haven Township earlier today involving the loss of multiple lives, including several school-aged children. … Our hearts are with all those impacted. … Although school is not currently in session, we will be ready to respond if and when additional information becomes available.”
Scott Fischer, a neighbor of the dead family, told WOOD-TV that he was “shocked, sad. … If you heard noise in this neighborhood, it largely came from those kids running around playing with other kids, and to see something like this and to come home to this, literally our hearts dropped.”
