The baby was among four children – thought to be siblings – shot by a 34-year-old man at an apartment in Pembroke Park, Florida, on Wednesday evening – three of the kids have died
Neighbours have recalled the horror of hearing gunshots and seeing pools of blood after three children – including a baby – were killed on Wednesday.
A 34-year-old man shot dead the youngsters and a 32-year-old woman, thought to be their mother, at an address in Pembroke Park, Florida, where neighbours were seen in tears in the aftermath. It is believed the baby boy, his toddler brother and their half-brother, understood to be eight years old, died at the scene.
An 11-year-old girl, said to be oldest of the siblings in the blended family, was also shot but survived. The assailant shot himself in the aftermath but has also survived, police said.
Richard Rainey, who lives in the apartment block, today told reporters he first heard what sounded liked a series of fireworks but, after then noticing screams, became worried.
READ MORE: Florida shooting: Tragedy as baby among three young children shot dead at home
When Mr Rainey entered a door which had been left ajar, he saw pools of blood and the victims’ bodies. He told a reporter: «I went in and I seen the girl lying there — pool of blood… I’m glad I didn’t see any more. There was a massacre in there.»
Less than one hour before the shootings, Mr Rainey had seen and had a joke with the man suspected of the murders. Speaking to Miami Herald, the neighbour added: «He didn’t seem off or anything.»
Footage taken at the scene, which the Mirror has deemed too distressing to publish, shows upset neighbours in tears as emergency services conduct an investigation.
Another neighbour, who lives two floors below the apartment in question, told WSVN on Wednesday: «I live on the second floor. I heard eight shots coming from the fourth floor and when I went to the front of the building, a girl told me somebody tried to shoot himself [and others].»
Officials have not released information on the relationship between the victims and the shooter, however neighbours understand they are known to each other. Further circumstances, such as any likely motive, remain unclear at this early stage.
Police remain at the apartment block in Pembroke Park, but say there is no immediate threat to members of the public there. Images taken there show forensic officers working at the scene.
In a broadcast for US media, a TV reporter said: «Several neighbours are here and have been watching all this unfold. We did see some family members who did seem very upset as well. One woman turned up here a short time ago, really screaming, asking police to tell her something. We don’t know how she is might be related to all this.
«A man – an adult – shot a woman, two children – described as an infant and a toddler – and at least one other child as well. He then turned the gun on himself. We are being told, per sources, he and one child – a young girl – did survive and have been taken to hospital but the others did not.»
