A gun with the bodies of a man, a woman and a child was found in a remote community near Alice Springs, according to Northern Territory police.
Investigators are treating the deaths of the 41-year-old man, the 40-year-old woman and the child as an incident of domestic violence.
Officers discovered the trio around 2.30pm on Sunday in a small outdoor station, 25km north of the city.
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“Police located a firearm at the scene and we are treating it as an incident of domestic violence,” Acting Commander Mark Grieve said Monday.
“This was a horrible event, and our hearts go out to the family and community members affected by this tragedy.”
The command team for resilience and community engagement remains on the scene, along with Aboriginal liaison officers, who support the community.
“We also offer support to the top officials and the investigators involved,” Acting Commander Grieve said.
Earlier, he assured the public that there was no permanent threat to the community.
“I would like to confirm to everyone that there are no safety concerns for Alice Springs or the surrounding community as a result of this incident,” he said.
Detectives are continuing to investigate the incident and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
“We need to ensure that members of the crime can follow the course and conduct a thorough and thorough investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.”
Grieve said respect for the family of dead people was also a “paramount consideration.”
“I can only imagine what kind of impact this will have on this community. And it’s an impact that we will work alongside them to try to overcome as best we can,” he said.
If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline at 13 11 14.
For more information about depression, contact beyondblue at 1300224636 or speak with your GP, local health care professional or someone you trust.
If you or someone you know is affected by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT at 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.
In an emergency, call 000.
Advice and counseling for men concerned about their use of domestic violence: Men’s Referral Service, 1300 766 491.