Seven shot dead at Texas Christmas gathering

Apparent murder-suicide in Grapevine, near Dallas, where group had just finished unwrapping gifts

Seven people who had just unwrapped their Christmas gifts have been found shot dead in an apparent murder-suicide, Texas police have said.

The group, believed to have been from the same family, were cleaning up the wrapping paper when they were killed in a Grapevine apartment, authorities said.

The four women and three men, aged 18 to 60, were found in an adjoining kitchen and living room when police entered the apartment around midday, said police sergeant Robert Eberling. Two handguns were found near the bodies in the apartment, which was decorated with a Christmas tree.

"It appears they had just celebrated Christmas. They had opened their gifts," Eberling said, adding that police did not know the motive for the killing. Grapevine is just outside Dallas.

Police lieutenant Todd Dearing said investigators believe that all the victims were related some were visiting and did not live in the apartment. Police were looking for other relatives to inform.

"Seven people in one setting in Grapevine, that's never happened before. Ever," Dearing said.
He said police were doing a "meticulous" search of the apartment.

Police had gone in after answering a 911 call with no one speaking on the other end.

Many of the nearby apartments are vacant and police said no neighbours reported hearing anything on a quiet Christmas morning when many people were not around.


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