At least seven people, including three women, were found dead in a Texas apartment in the United States on Christmas Day and police believe one person shot the other six before committing suicide.
The bodies of three women and four men, aged between 18 and 60, were found with gunshot wounds near a Christmas tree at the Lincoln Vineyard apartment's living room.
The shooting victims appeared to be opening Christmas presents when the attack occurred, police said, adding that there was no sign of forced entry and no sign of a struggle.
"It appears to be they're all related. It appears all the victims are deceased from gunshot wounds," said Sgt Robert Eberling of the Grapevine police department.
Police, responding to a 911 emergency call from the address in Grapevine yesterday found the bodies at the apartment, Eberling said.
Nobody reported hearing any gunshots, he added.
Police said there were no survivors at the apartment when they arrived.
"The victims had not been dead long," Eberling said.
Two handguns were found at the scene, Eberling said, calling it the worst massacre in the town's history.
Police believe that one person shot the other six before committing suicide. It is suspected that these people were killed by relatives.
Authorities have not released the identities of the victims and did not give a motive for the shooting.
Neighbours said they were shocked that three generations of the same family have been killed.
"This is such a safe place, they take such good care of the properties and everyone's so nice and friendly," one neighbour said.
Vanessa Barerra said the crime was especially disturbing because it flew in the face of the reputation Grapevine has as a safe place to live.
A town of about 46,000 some 20 miles from downtown Dallas, Grapevine is better known for its vineyards and quaint historic downtown than it is for violence or crime.
