An Indiana woman and her three young children were all found shot dead inside a burning home Tuesday, leaving investigators to wonder what happened.
Naomi Briner, 35, was found Tuesday alongside daughters Adelia, 12, and Iyla, 6, as well as 8-year-old son Leland, with gunshot wounds at their home near Madison, Indiana.
The fire was reported around 4 p.m. with crews discovering the bodies in the house.
The woman and the three children were all pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation is ongoing, but officials do not believe there is a threat to the public.
Naomi Briner, 35, was found alongside daughters Adelia, 12, and Iyla, 6, as well as 8-year-old son Leland, with gunshot wounds in their home near Madison, Indiana
The fire was reported around 4 p.m. with crews discovering the bodies in the house
Police have not yet shared an official cause of death.
Sergeant Stephen Wheeles, of the Indiana State Police, said the case is proving a difficult one to solve.
'We have to kind of put those feelings aside and, you know really focus on our task right now to investigate this thoroughly, make sure we go down every avenue we can to determine exactly what happened and hopefully, at some point, be able to provide some closure to that family,' he said.
According to her Facebook page, Briner worked as a health services administrator for a correctional facility.
Neighbor Ralph Dean Jr. said he heard gunshots Tuesday afternoon before the sound of an explosion. When he looked outside, he saw flames.
'I pretty much knew it was kids and that's when I was remembering them coming out and playing,' Dean told WLKY.
'What a tragedy,' added another neighbor, Carol Woodfill.
According to her Facebook page, Briner worked as a health services administrator for a correctional facility
The woman and the three children were all pronounced dead at the scene
A neighbor recalled hearing gunshots and then an explosion before seeing the house in flames
Woodfill had just finished pulling decorations out of the garage when she heard sirens nearby, according to WHAS.
She said she'd known the kids from when 'they were out there in the driveway just jumping and kids just playing.'
'These children are gone now. With no future, no life, but I believe they are in heaven with God.'
'It's the whole family. It's the friends, the acquaintances and everybody that's suffering,' she added.
Naomi Briner was remembered as 'a beautiful soul gone too soon' by a friend, Sue Sams-Tinker, in a Facebook post.
'I’m saddened your life had to end this way. I don’t know why your life was cut short, but I I know how much you love those children,' she wrote.
'I know you will definitely be missed by your family and your friends they will have so many memories to remember you as the sweet, friendly loving person that you were. My heart breaks for this life taken so easily. Rest in peace Naomi.'
There are currently no suspects identified in connection with the shooting.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pa3IpbCmmZmhe6S7ja6iaKaVrMBwrdGtoJyklWJ%2Bc4SVb21ya1%2BCvK5506Gpnp1doLalv4ysn6isXZmyorCMgqWdoZGjrm60zqacZ6Ckork%3D