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Police ID Victims In Deadly Shooting Inside Burlington County Home

By Steve Beck, David Spunt

TABERNACLE, N.J. (CBS) -- Two children were killed and another child and woman are in critical condition following a shooting inside a Burlington County home, state police said.

The shooting happened inside a home on Holly Park Drive in Tabernacle, New Jersey.

New Jersey State Police said they received a phone call from a family member inside the home at about 9 a.m. Thursday.

Investigators say when Troopers arrived, they found the bodies of a boy and girl inside the home.

Police say two others -- 44-year-old Jeaninne LePage and 11-year-old Alexander Harriman -- were taken to Cooper University Hospital in Camden where they are listed in critical condition.

The deceased victims have been identified by the Burlington County Medical Examiner as eight-year-old Nadia Harriman and her 14-year-old brother Nicholas Harriman.

Investigators said during a news conference Thursday afternoon that they believe the female is the mother of the three children who were shot.

According to investigators, the LePage suffered a gunshot wound to the head. All four were shot with the same handgun, which was found at the scene, police said. All four were also found in the same room.

At this time, the case is being handled as a homicide investigation.

"I can tell you that there's not a massive manhunt going on and the public should not be alarmed or feel threatened," State Police spokesman Captain Stephen Jones said.

Jones said that the shootings happened sometime between the overnight and 9 a.m. Jones said the family members who called police did not hear the gunshots. A total of nine family members lived in the home.

Neighbors told Eyewitness News that they were shocked by the tragic news.

"This is a very quiet street. We've lived her for 30-some years and never had any problems," neighbor Jeanette Salvatore said.

Salvatore said her grandchildren played with some of the victims in the past.

Neighbor Kim Kniffin's son goes to nearby Seneca High School. She says the district quickly sent out an email, telling parents that no students were ever in any danger.

"He said the police contacted the school and they're not in lockdown."

A few dozen gathered in the cold Thursday night as emotions poured through at a vigil for those who died.

"Her kids called me their second mother and I'm just devastated and shocked," said Monique Currier.

Patrick Hines knows one of the young victims.

"He was one of my best friends. I still don't really know what to think," said Hines.

Even the youngest weren't spared the pain. This little girl is friends with another one of the children.

"She was a very, very good friend," she said.

A community rallied around a message of hope.

"There's light in the midst of darkness and light does win, and it always wins," a man said.

A police investigation is underway.

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