Police said a suspect has been detained.
Three children were critically injured and two others were injured in an attack Friday at a home in Texas, police said.
According to Ellis County Sheriff’s Deputy Jerry Cosby, sheriff’s deputies responded to a call around 4 p.m. local time on South Harris Street in Italy, about 40 miles south of Dallas.
Upon arrival, several victims were found, including three children who died and two who were injured and taken to hospital. All the victims were children, Cosby said.
A suspect has been detained, police said.
“We are shocked by this unfathomable tragedy and are already working with law enforcement to investigate how and why this happened,” the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services said in a statement.
The Ellis County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation.
Shamelia Anderson, a relative of the victims, confirmed ABC Dallas affiliate WFAA The children attended a primary school opposite their home.
“They got their wings,” he told the station. “They are beautiful little children.”
Italy Independent School District Superintendent Rachel Kistner said the district is “deeply saddened by the off-campus tragedy” and is cooperating with local law enforcement in the investigation.
“Words cannot express the overwhelming grief the county and community felt upon hearing such tragedy,” Kistner said in a statement. Report. “We are a tight-knit, small community and many students will be affected by this incident.”
Counseling will be held in the district on Saturday and next week, he said.
ABC News’ Izzy Alvarez contributed to this report.
This is a growing story. Check back for updates.
