Seven shot dead in US 'robbery'

The killings have shocked the city

Seven family members - three of them children - have been shot dead during an apparent robbery in the US Mid-West.

The children aged five to 11 were found dead in a bedroom. The adults' bodies were scattered around the two-storey home in the city of Indianapolis.

The victims came from three generations of a family. They were shot dead with an assault weapon or rifle.

Officials say this is one of the city's worst mass killings in decades. At least two suspects are being sought.

Police went to the home after the alarm was raised when screams and shots were heard by a woman who dropped one of the victims off at the house.

The dead were named as Luis Albarran (aged 5); David Covarrubias (8 or 9); Alberto Covarrubias (11); Flora Albarran (22); Magno Albarran (29); Emma Valdez (46) and her husband Alberto Covarrubias (56).

Police Chief Mike Spears said the murders had shocked the police department and shocked the city.

"We do not have these kinds of crimes," he said.