6 family members, including baby, shot at home in targeted ‘slaughter’: Sheriff

Six people were shot at a central California home in what the sheriff called a targeted and possibly gang-related attack.

A 17-year-old mother and a 6-month-old baby were among those killed in the “horrific massacre” Monday morning, Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreau told reporters. Both had been shot in the head, he said.

“We have survivors,” the sheriff said, adding that it’s still unclear how they survived.

Authorities believe there are at least two suspects at large, Boudreau said. No arrests have been made.

“We believe this was a targeted family,” the sheriff said.

“It was very personal,” Boudreau said. “We also believe a message has been sent.”

Authorities “believe there are gang associations involved in this scene as well as potential drug investigations,” Boudreau said.

PHOTO: Six people were shot at a Central California home in what the sheriff called a targeted attack. (Tulare County Sheriff’s Office)

MORE: Arrests in New Year’s Eve shootout in which nearly 600 rounds were fired: Police

A week ago, the sheriff’s office executed a drug search warrant at the house, he said.

Some victims were found inside the house, while others were found on the street, Boudreau said. One man, who was found injured when deputies arrived, was later pronounced dead at a hospital, the sheriff said.

Authorities received reports of shots fired shortly before 4 a.m., the sheriff said. Callers believed there was an active shooter because of the number of shots fired, he said.

“I have more information but I am not at liberty to discuss at this stage,” he said. “We have potential information that we hope will lead to potential suspects.

6 family members, including baby, shot at home in targeted ‘slaughter’: Sheriff originally appeared on abcnews.go.com