Three children were killed and two others injured in an incident reported Friday in Italy, Texas, a small city south of Dallas, authorities said.
The circumstances of the incident are unknown. A suspect was taken into custody, Ellis County Sheriff’s Deputy Jerry Cozby said at an evening news conference. The suspect has not been publicly identified.
«We believe there is no danger to the public at this time,» he said.
In an earlier statement, the sheriff’s office characterized the situation as an «isolated incident.»
Sheriff’s investigators were called to a home in a residential area that also includes an elementary school and a Catholic church, after 4 p.m., the deputy said.
Police in Italy, Texas, were at the scene and asked the sheriff’s office for help with an investigation of the death, he said in an earlier statement.
«When we arrived, we found multiple victims on the scene,» Cozby said. «Three deceased victims were found inside the house. All the victims were children. Two children were taken to local hospitals.»
The identities of the three children who died and the conditions of the injured children have not been made public.
Cozby said it was a «fluent investigation» and no additional details were immediately released.
Italy has a population of about 2,300 and is located 44 miles south of Dallas.