Three children were killed and two others injured Friday in an incident in Italy, Texas, a small town south of Dallas, officials said.
The circumstances of the incident are not known. A suspect is in custody, Ellis County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jerry Cosby 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 the home in a residential area that includes an elementary school and Catholic church just after 4 p.m., the deputy said.
Italy, Texas, police were at the scene and asked the sheriff’s office to assist in the death investigation, it said in an earlier statement.
“When we arrived we found multiple victims,” Cosby said. “Three dead people were found inside the home. All victims were children. Two children were taken to local hospitals.”
The identities of the three dead children and the conditions of the injured children have not been released publicly.
Cozby said it was a “fluid investigation” and no further details were immediately released.
Italy has a population of about 2,300 and is 44 miles south of Dallas.
