The police in Salt Saint Marie, Ontario, said that five people died, including three children, and one person in the hospital is injured by gunfire after an escalation of intimate partner violence that led to gunfire at two homes.

The incident began with a 911 call about someone breaking into a home in building number 200 on Tancred Street at around 10:20 PM on Monday, Salt Saint, according to statements from the Marie Police during a press release.

The police found a 41-year-old man dead from a gunshot wound in the home, and the shooter fled before they arrived.

About 10 minutes later, another 911 call came in about a person with a gun in a home located in building number 200 on East Second Line, about three kilometers away.

When officers arrived, they found a 45-year-old man injured by a gunshot and sent him to the hospital. No word on his condition.

Inside the home, the officers found three children – aged six, seven, and 12 – shot dead along with the 44-year-old shooter, who was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Salt police stated that the two incidents are related and are the result of intimate partner violence, so the names of the suspects and victims have not been disclosed.

The police added that these are not random acts of violence and there is no ongoing threat to public safety.

Salt Police Chief Hugh Stevenson was quoted in the press release saying, "Our community is again facing a tragic and unnecessary loss of life."

He added, "The grief faced by the families of the victims, their friends, and loved ones is unimaginable. Our hearts go out to them. As our community mourns this tragedy, I urge everyone to look out for one another. If you are suffering, or if you see someone you know suffering, please take advantage of the mental health support available in our community."

As the investigation continues, officers remain at both sites.