Authorities in Maryland discovered the death of a family of five inside a home in Elk Mills late last week.
According to the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office, a man called 911 at 9:19 a.m. on Friday “to report that three children and [a] female had been shot and were killed.”
The 911 call was tracked to the Elk Mills house, and dispatchers attempted multiple times but received no response.
Deputies arrived at the house at 9:29 a.m. and “discovered an unconscious individual within the detached garage,” according to the statement.
According to the statement, “deputies entered the premises where they eventually located five deceased people in various positions” in the home and detached garage.
“All of the deceased appeared to have suffered gunshot wounds,” he continues. “A semi-automatic handgun was located near the deceased adult male.”
The statement notes that deputies had never been called to the residence before Friday.
The dead were Marcus Edward Milligan, 39, his wife Tara Devina Ricker Milligan, 37, and their three children: Teresa Milligan, 14, Nora Milligan, 11, and Finn Milligan, 8.
Investigators have not speculated on a potential motivation.
Marcus Edward Milligan, the 911 caller, has likewise not been named.
Officials did note that a semi-automatic gun was discovered close to his body, and they suspect he murdered his family before turning the weapon on himself.
All five victims perished as a result of single gunshot wounds.
“It’s a horrific day, and I know everybody’s prayers are appreciated,” Sheriff Scott Adams told reporters on Friday. “My phone hasn’t stopped ringing from people concerned about this and upset about this.”
According to WJZ-TV, officials removed a dog and two cats from the residence, all of which were alive.
