HOLLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — Three family members were found dead following a shooting northeast of Holland Sunday.
Two men and a woman are dead, the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office said. Their names were not released Sunday night, but authorities say they are a 51-year-old man, a 42-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman.
Sheriff's Office Capt. Mark Bennett said the shooter appeared to be one of the dead, but would not immediately classify the situation as a murder-suicide.
The shooting happened in a home on Westland Court off Riley Street, west of US-31, in Holland Township.
Someone inside the home called 911 to report the shooting around 5 p.m. At least three other people, also all family members, who were inside escaped safely.
Authorities responded with SWAT and set up a perimeter.
"This is something I’ve never witnessed or ever seen. This was crazy to see," neighbor Dan Lokers told 24 Hour News 8. "So many police officers one spot and they just kept and coming faster every time. Then I saw the SWAT team and I went, 'Something is really wrong.'"
Authorities tried to get the shooter to come out of the house for about two hours, but now believe it was already too late. When officers entered the home before 8 p.m., they discovered the three people dead of gunshot wounds.
Authorities remained on scene well into the night investigating.
The motive behind the shooting was not immediately known, but Bennett said it was an isolated domestic incident and neighbors did not need to be concerned for their safety.
Another resident said the family had lived in the neighborhood for more than 20 years. She described them as quiet and courteous and said she was surprised by what happened.