Authorities in Illinois are investigating what they are calling an apparent murder-suicide after police said they found five adults, including four relatives, fatally shot during a home welfare check.
Local police told USA TODAY that they responded at 11:45 p.m. on Oct. 18 to a house in the Chicago suburb of Mundelein and discovered the bodies of three men and two women inside.
Officers had visited the house after a relative, who had been unable to contact one of the victims, called police, authorities said.
The officers entered the home through an unlocked door and found the bodies in multiple rooms, Mundelein Police Department Deputy Police Chief Rick Wilfenger said. According to a preliminary investigation, two of the victims lived in the home,
and all five adults appeared to have been shot at close range with a handgun.
Two handguns were recovered from the scene, Wilfenger said.
Four of the victims were family members, and the fifth victim is believed to be involved in a domestic relationship with the shooting suspect, police wrote in a news release.
The identities of the dead, as well as their official cause and manner of death, will be determined by the Lake County Coroner’s Office.
USA TODAY has reached out to the coroner's office.
What happened in Mundelein mass shooting?
A motive for the shootings had not been released as of Oct. 20, and the incident remained under investigation by police, with assistance from the Lake County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Task Force.
Police emphasized that the incident appeared to be isolated and that there was no current threat to the public.
"The Mundelein Police Department extends its condolences to the victims' loved ones and recognizes the impact this tragedy has had on our community," the agency wrote in the release.
Anyone with additional information about the case is asked to call Mundelein police at 847-968-4600.
This story contains mention of suicide and domestic violence. If you are at risk, please stop here and contact 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for support. Abuse can be reported by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY).
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 4 relatives among 5 found dead in Illinois murder-suicide, police say
