DETROIT – Two adults and two children were shot to death as they slept Thursday in a home known to police as a hub of drug activity, authorities said.
Police did not identify the victims, but relatives said they were a mother, her two children and the man she had been dating. The children were a 9-year-old girl and 5-year-old boy, their aunt said.
"I'm hurt. My little niece and nephew just got killed along with their mother," said Pandora Eppinger, 36. "They were just little, sweet kids. Why would they do that?"
Georgia Davis, 53, identified the fourth victim as her 34-year-old son, Jason Davis, who she said had been dating the female victim. "Why would someone kill those kids? They're crazy," she said.
Police received the call at 3:25 a.m. Thursday, Detroit Police Chief Ella Bully-Cummings said. Officers found no signs of forced entry, and the doors and windows reinforced with two-by-fours and multiple locks, the chief said.
Police in the past have responded to shots fired and numerous narcotics complaints at the house, Bully-Cummings said.
Police believe the shooter fled in the man's vehicle. A gun was not found at the scene, but Bully-Cummings said the casings reveal a high-powered weapon was used.
No arrests had been made, and Bully-Cummings urged potential witnesses to come forward.
"I'm tired of seeing our children die," she said. "We as adults have a responsibility to our children to allow them to grow up as adults in a safe environment, and we're failing them."
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