A California sheriff’s deputy, off duty, killed the mother of his children and then took his own life during a standoff with officials. The Santa Rosa Police got a 911 call from a neighbor of Mari Bonnici. The incident happened at an apartment complex around 7 p.m. on Aug. 10, according to a Facebook post from the police, per PEOPLE.

A neighbor reported that Mari Bonnici’s ex, Sheriff’s Deputy 44-year-old Jeremy Lyle, gave her an infant and told her to contact officials because the mother was hurt, then left. When police arrived at Bonnici’s apartment, they broke in and found her lifeless with at least one gunshot wound. Two toddlers were found safe in a back bedroom. Later, Lyle was found at his truck, holding a gun to himself.

Officials tried to get Lyle to surrender for hours; however, it didn’t work. Around 2 a.m., seven hours after the 911 call, Lyle shot himself, according to police, who said officers witnessed it. They believe the situation was tied to domestic violence, but there were no past reports of such incidents between Lyle and Bonnici. Their three kids are now being looked after by family members.

#Clique, what are your thoughts?