Family killed in Dallas shooting

Guns are readily available in the United States

One of the worst episodes of family violence in Dallas history left five people dead and another injured, authorities said.

Two young children were shot dead, along with their mother, their grandfather and a 20-year-old woman. Another woman was wounded.

This is the worst that I've ever seen, and I've been in homicide 10 years

Sergeant Gary Kirkpatrick

A man was arrested and was being questioned over the deaths of his 32-year-old wife, Cecelia Ochoa; his two daughters, Crystal Ochoa, 7 and Ana Ochoa, 9 months; his father-in-law Bartolo Alivizo, 56, and a 20-year-old Jacqueline Saleh.

The injured woman alerted neighbours after fleeing the house bleeding and screaming.

Police discovered the victims' bodies in the kitchen and living room.

"This is the worst that I've ever seen, and I've been in homicide 10 years," police homicide Sergeant Gary Kirkpatrick said.

He was a very cordial person

Delia McClendon, Neighbour

"There's never been one of this magnitude."

Neighbours reported hearing sounds resembling "a string of fireworks going off" coming from next door.

Then the neighbours saw the 29-year-old suspect race off in the family car.

A semi-automatic handgun was found at the house, Sergeant Kirkpatrick said.

Domestic problems

The suspect's brother told police the family had domestic problems, the officer added.

The woman who survived the attack was in critical condition from a gunshot wound in the upper body.

The shootings shocked the family's neighbours.

"He was a very cordial person," Delia McClendon said of the man taken into custody.

"He was out just yesterday painting his house," she added.

"He and my mom stood out there talking and a couple of weeks ago our car was stolen and he came over to see if there was anything he could do to help."