Police are investigating a possible murder-suicide after two people died late Friday night from gunshot wounds at a home in Lehigh County.
Another adult and several children of the deceased were also found unharmed in the home, authorities said.
Police were dispatched to the 200 block of 10th Avenue in Bethlehem at approximately 10:15 p.m., authorities said.
A 911 call was made by an adult who had just dropped off a child resident at the home following a playdate, according to police.
The child entered the home and then came back out, reporting a serious issue had occurred inside the residence, officials said.
Police said a 39-year-old woman and a 42-year-old man, both with gunshot wounds, were discovered in the basement along with a firearm.
The unidentified man was transported to St. Luke’s University Hospital in Bethlehem, authorities said. He was pronounced dead at the hospital at 11:39 p.m. The woman was pronounced dead at the home at 11:22 p.m.
Both individuals have been positively identified, but the Lehigh County Coroner said he would not release their identities yet out of respect for the families.
Three children have been identified as the children of the deceased adults and have since been placed in the care of family members, officials said. Two of them were in the home, unharmed, and were safely removed by officers, officials said.
An older adult was also located in a separate part of the home and appeared unaware of the incident, according to officials. Police said this individual is not considered a suspect.
Autopsies for both of the deceased are scheduled to be completed on Monday at the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office and Forensic Center, officials said.
Police said there is no indication of an ongoing threat to the community at this time.
The City of Bethlehem Police Department, the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force and the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office are investigating this case.