Florida shooting: Tragedy as baby among three young children shot dead at home

( MSN )

Four people - including three young children - have been shot dead at an apartment in Florida, reports claim.

A man is said to have opened fire in the house, killing the baby, two toddlers and a woman, late on Wednesday night in Pembroke Park, which is around 20 miles north of Miami. Footage taken at the scene, which the Mirror has deemed too distressing to publish, shows upset neighbours in tears as emergency services conduct an investigation.

A fourth child - a 10-year-old girl - is said to have suffered life-threatening injuries and is in hospital, again following gunshot. The man who opened fire is also in hospital with gunshot wounds to his head, local media reports.

One neighbour, who lives two floors below the apartment in question, told WSVN: "I live on the second floor. I heard eight shots coming from the fourth floor and when I went to the front of the building, a girl told me somebody tried to shoot himself [and others]."

Officials have not released information on the relationship between the victims and the shooter, however neighbours understand they are known to each other. Further circumstances, such as any likely motive, remain unclear at this early stage.

Police remain at the apartment block in Pembroke Park, but say there is no immediate threat to members of the public there. Images taken there show forensic officers working at the scene.

In a broadcast for US media, a TV reporter said: "Several neighbours are here and have been watching all this unfold. We did see some family members who did seem very upset as well. One woman turned up here a short time ago, really screaming, asking police to tell her something. We don't know how she is might be related to all this.

"A man - an adult - shot a woman, two children - described as an infant and a toddler - and at least one other child as well. He then turned the gun on himself. We are being told, per sources, he and one child - a young girl - did survive and have been taken to hospital but the others did not."

The broadcaster, WSVN, played chilling footage of the 911 call. In it, one police officer tells the operator he is searching the apartment for more victims, however it is understood all victims have been accounted for.

Since July 2023, Florida residents no longer require a licence for concealed carry of a gun. Open carry when on foot in a public area is generally illegal in the state. No state permit is required to possess or purchase a rifle, shotgun or handgun in Florida. It is unclear what exact gun was used in this tragic case.