AN apparent murder-suicide on Christmas Day has left five children orphaned after a dad reportedly killed his wife before shooting himself.
Authorities believe the Texas tragedy took place after the family attended a holiday party, though it’s not completely clear what transpired just yet.
Police were called to a home in northeast Harris County, near Houston, and found Arsenio Gonzalez, 45, and Maria Gonzalez, 42, dead on their front lawn.
Maria reportedly had signs of blunt trauma while Arsenio had suffered from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Their five children, who range in age from seven to 16, were also found at the scene.
However, authorities don’t believe the children witnesses what transpired between the parents.
The deaths appear to have occurred after a “family Christmas function,” authorities said.
The children were unharmed and Child Protective Services is moving to place them with relatives, cops said.
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Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez confirmed the initial details in a series of posts on Twitter.
“The couple had just returned home from a family Christmas function when the assault and shooting occurred,” he wrote.
“Children Protective Services is assisting with placing the children with family.”
No update had been provided about the status of the children as of Monday afternoon.
