Three children from Mount Vernon have been orphaned after the apparent murder suicide of their parents.

Police say they received reports of a 911 call just before 6 a.m. Sunday of shots being fired inside a home on South 14th Avenue.

When police arrived, they found the bodies of a husband and wife.

Police say the couple’s three young kids were inside the apartment when the shooting took place. When officers responded to the scene, the children were found unharmed at another home with family members.

“The children are devastated. When you realize that both of your parents are dead, it’s devastating, whether they’re 5 or they’re 50,” said Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard. She is also a national co-chair for Mayors Against Illegal Guns.

“This is definitely a tragic way to start to start off this weekend and this month of Gun Violence Awareness,” Patterson-Howard said.

Neighbors said they are praying for the kids and hope they get the support they need as they grieve the loss of their parents.

Police have not said what led to the shooting.

Anybody who is going through a stressful, challenging time is urged to reach out for help locally or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.