Edmonton Murders : Seven adults, two children dead in domestic violence tragedy (Video)

Edmonton’s police chief says the mass murder of eight people was planned and deliberate, describing it Tuesday as an “extreme case of domestic violence.”

The victims and the gunman, who shot himself, were found dead in two different residences in the Canadian city.

The police said the incident “appears to an extreme case of domestic violence gone awry”.

Police chief Rod Knecht said: “According to family, the male seemed depressed and overly emotional. The family was concerned that the male may be suicidal.”

“This series of events are not believed to be random acts and there is no risk to the broad public. These events do not appear to be gang-related, but rather tragic incidents of domestic violence,” he said.

Authorities have not revealed the name of the suspect as yet, nor his relationship to the victims. Police said they knew him and that he had a criminal record dating back to 1987.

The adult victims who were killed in the rampage were aged between 25 and 50. Both children were under the age of 10.

Investigators said the suspect used a stolen shotgun to kill the victims. Police are not looking for any other suspect.

Autopsies on the victims and on the suspect are set to take place on 1 January.

9 people dead at 3 linked crime scenes in #Edmonton, #FortSaskatchewan: sources http://t.co/ROmJDXzoHn pic.twitter.com/KYHnr33rjT

— Global Montreal (@Global_Montreal) December 30, 2014

Agencies/Canadajournal