Eight people, including six children, were found dead in a Michigan home following a fire, and some victims sustained gunshot wounds, according to law enforcement.
Authorities responded to the blaze in Grand Haven Township, located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, shortly before noon on Friday. Upon entering the residence, they discovered the bodies, stated Capt. Jacob Sparks of the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office during an evening news conference.
Officials have not yet fully identified all the victims, nor have they determined the official cause of death. The children ranged in age from 5 to 15 years old. Sparks did not specify how many of the deceased had suffered gunshot wounds.
"It's a complicated scene, a complex scene," Sparks said. He added that investigators are not currently searching for outside suspects and that a murder-suicide is being considered as one theory. All individuals who resided in the home appear to be among the deceased.
The fire is considered "suspicious," with indications that it may have been intentionally set. Michigan State Police arson investigators are assisting in the ongoing investigation at the scene. Grand Haven Township has a population of approximately 18,000 and is situated about 25 miles west of Grand Rapids.