A man shot two of his children and his stepdaughter before killing himself after a stand-off with Texan police yesterday.
A fourth child was seriously wounded in the shootings in Katy, west of Houston.
Authorities said Timothy Lee Rumsey (42) had been holding the children hostage since Sunday night, shortly after his wife went to police to report that he had threatened the children after the couple had fought.
The man spoke briefly to negotiators early yesterday, but hung up on them after saying the children were in jeopardy.
Police said they believe Rumsey may have killed the children shortly after his wife left. Their bodies were found in the master bedroom.
They were identified as seven-year-old Kirstie Rumsey, her nine year old brother Dylan and Brittany Whalen (11) a child from the mother's previous marriage.
Rumsey was put on probation last year after pleading guilty to a domestic assault charge against his wife.