Father, Two Children Found Dead; Police Believe It Is Murder-Suicide, Victims Identified

Police are investigating a case believed to be a murder-suicide after a father and his two children were found dead in their apartment in Beaverton, Oregon. The victims have been identified by the authorities.

The father was identified as 36-year-old Lakalo Kawika Enfield. He reportedly fatally shot his two young children before inflicting a gunshot wound to himself. The two children were identified as eight-year-old Lehua Elaysea Enfield and six-year-old Lakalo Vergara Enfield.

Officials who arrived at the crime scene entered the apartment and initially thought that all three of them are dead. However, Beaverton Police spokesman Mike Rowe said that as officials made their way out of the apartment to preserve the evidence and the crime scene, they heard rustling inside the home and then a single gunshot.

A tactical negotiation team was deployed and entered the apartment for the second time. This time, all three were confirmed dead, Washington Post reported.

A woman related to the children, believed to be the mother and the wife of Kawika, called 911 at around 4:30 P.M. on Thursday. She said that she found the children and their father dead in the apartment. A neighbor said that she heard the mother of the kids screaming in the parking lot outside the apartment complex that her husband was killing their children.

There have been no details yet regarding the motive in the killing and what led to the deadly encounter. The family reportedly moved into the apartment complex over a month ago. It was also reported that officials responded to a call last week regarding verbal disturbance between Kawika and his wife. However, there were no signs of assault, as per Oregon Live.

The children attended Greenway Elementary School and were in first and second grade.The institution has also issued a statement, saying they are saddened by the events adding, "Please know our principal is working with the district to ensure there are extra counseling staff to help the parents and kids get through this difficult time."

Meanwhile, the investigation is currently ongoing. For more news and updates, check out Parent Herald.