Man in California killed 2 kids, woman and himself in apparent murder-suicide, police say

This story contains mention of suicide and possible domestic violence. If you are at risk of suicide, please stop here and contact 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for support. Those facing domestic abuse can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit its website for a virtual chat.

Police have identified a Silicon Valley man who they say shot his two children, their mother and then took his own life in an apparent murder-suicide Tuesday.

The family was found dead in Milpitas, California just before 9 p.m. Tuesday night, Milpitas Police Chief Jared Hernandez said in a news release this week.

Loved ones called police and asked them to conduct a welfare check on their family members when they hadn’t heard from them for a few days, police said in the news release.

When police went to the family’s apartment on McCandless Drive, they found 36-year-old Vinh Nguyen, 36-year-old Betty Pham, and their 9-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter dead, police said.

Each member of the family had a single gunshot wound, police said, adding that “Nguyen has been identified as the suspect responsible” and a handgun registered to him was found at the scene.

Police initially described the children as preteens, but they are 9 and 4 years old, according to the department’s most recent press release.

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‘We are deeply saddened by this tragedy’

“We are deeply saddened by this tragedy,” wrote Chief Hernandez in the news release. “The loss of their lives was preventable, and we urge those in need to seek support, to prevent incidents like this from happening again.”

According to police, the City of Milpitas has a Suicide Prevention Task Force. The task force works with Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services, an agency that manages regional suicide prevention efforts.

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY’s NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Family in Milpitas, California died from murder-suicide, police say