A Houston man who shot and killed his 14-year-old daughter and his wife early Thursday morning told police he was defending himself after the two allegedly grabbed knives and came toward him, KHOU reported.
Police took the 43-year-old man, who has not been named, into custody for questioning, but did not immediately file charges. The investigation continues, authorities said.
An argument between the man and the women allegedly spurred the wife and daughter to grab knives. The man said he then shot the women in self-defense, officials said. The man’s daughter died at the scene, and his wife, who was shot in the head, died later at a hospital. He called 911 after the incident, which occurred around 3 a.m.
Officials have yet to say what started the argument.
The daughter was identified by family members as Ariel Ratliff.
“It’s like a nightmare, it’s really unreal,” Ratliff’s aunt told ABC13. “I’m numb right now. I’m so hurt that I can’t cry.”
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