Update 10:00 a.m.: This story has been updated to reflect the name of the deceased which has been released by New York State Police

Officials are saying that a retired Newburgh police officer has killed his two children and himself in an alleged murder suicide.

Thursday around 5:30 p.m., State Police responded to a 911 call for an unresponsive male at the Valley View Mobil Home on 5th Avenue in the Town of Wallkill.

Police found 48-year-old John Casullo dead inside his home from a single gunshot wound to the head. Also found deceased inside the residence were James Casullo, 8, and 12-year-old Kathleen Casullo.

Police say James and Kathleen were children of John Casullo and both died from a single gunshot wound to the head.

An investigation by authorities revealed that John Casullo used a .45 caliber pistol to murder each of his children while they slept in their bedrooms then turned the weapon on himself.

Google - Entrance to Valley View Mobile Home Park
Google - Entrance to Valley View Mobile Home Park
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According to ABC Eyewitness News, the town supervisor confirmed the shooter was a retired Newburgh cop. Neighbors say the 8-year-old boy had autism.

What makes the story even more tragic is reports that say the shooters wife, the mother of deceased children, came home to make the shocking discovery.

"I saw the lady outside screaming on the phone, saying 'my husband killed the kids and shot himself'," neighbor Courtney Stevens told Eyewitness News.

The investigation is ongoing. We will follow the investigation as it unfolds and update this page with more information as it develops.

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