Police are searching for the mother of two boys who were found shot dead, one inside their home and the other inside a car parked at an A&P supermarket in upstate New York, saying she may be injured and in need of medical attention.
The boys' father, identified as 49-year-old Abbas Lodhi, was also found dead of a gunshot wound inside the car Thursday morning in Pleasant Valley, police say. A shotgun was recovered at one of the scenes.
The children were identified as 9-year-old Zain Lodhi and 13-year-old Mugthba Lodhi.
Police emphasized there is no threat to local residents as the search for 43-year-old Sarwat Lodhi continues, calling the killings a "family tragedy."
Officials did not elaborate on their theory as to what happened, or how the mother was injured.
Michael Piccione, whose son was a close friend of Zain, said the boy was "always a peacemaker. He was always the one who never wanted anyone to fight."
"The most important thing right now is for our community to come together and work through this tragedy."
--Marc Santia contributed to this report.