Reckless Atlanta gunman kills ex-wife, children in Georgia

A man shot six people in Georgia, killing four of them, including his ex-wife and several children, before turning the gun on himself on a quiet, suburban Atlanta street.
Horrified neighbours called police and tended to the severely injured victims as best they could before rescuers arrived.

Police stand in the doorway of a home while investigating the shooting scene where authorities say five people are dead, including the gunman. Photo / AP
The shooter, whose name was not immediately released, appeared to have targeted his ex-wife and his own family, including several children who tried to flee, said Douglas County Sheriff's Lieutenant Glenn Daniel. Authorities did not release the names of the victims because they were still contacting next of kin. Investigators were still trying to determine the shooter's motive and piece together what happened.

Police at the scene of a shooting in Georgia

"I've been in law enforcement out here 20 years and this is the worst I've ever seen," Daniel said. He did not know when the couple divorced or if they had prior contact with law enforcement.

Teresa Carter, 59, said she heard gunfire from inside her home but did not see what happened. Police said victims were shot inside and outside the house.
Carter said she often saw the children playing around the neighbourhood. They enjoyed petting her dog. "I heard shots, and I heard the girl scream," Carter said. "And then I heard four more shots."
Brandon Hallman was working on a car a few houses down. "I heard a couple quick shots, you know, back to back ... We just grabbed some towels and went down there to try and help."
Another neighbour, Angela Ansah, struggled to explain to her own children what happened to their slain friends a few houses down. Ansah said some of the children targeted often came over to her house to play with her own children. "These are children I see every day." Ansah said.