An Indiana mother and her three children found dead late Tuesday afternoon after a housefire in rural Jefferson County had been shot before the fire, authorities said.

Indiana State Police Sergeant Stephen Wheeles identified the victims as Naomi Briner, 35; Adelia Briner, 12; Leland Briner, 8; and Iyla Briner, 6.

Wheeles said the four family members “had injuries consistent with gunshot wounds” but that coroner’s office would determine cause and manner of death.

“This is an ongoing investigation,” he said. “However, at this time, investigators do not believe that there is a threat to the public.”

“It’s sad. And what makes it even worse, it’s Christmas-time,” neighbor Carol Woodfill told WHAS.

Woodfill said she’s seen the children out in the driveway jumping and playing in recent good weather.

“It’s the whole family. It’s the friends, the acquaintances and everybody that’s suffering,” she said.

Neighbor Ralph Dean Jr. told WLKY he heard gunshots and then something that sounded like an explosion.

“I pretty much knew it was kids and that’s when I was remembering them coming out and playing, playing on this little playset here,” Dean said, indicating a wooden playset sitting near his property line.

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[Featured image: Indiana State Police]