Father Killed Twin Sons During Family Gathering, Gunshot Missed Mother: LAPD

CANOGA PARK, CA — The twin 10-year-old boys who were killed alongside their father in an apparent murder-suicide in Canoga Park over the weekend have been identified as authorities reveal more details about the case.

The shooting occurred before 7:15 p.m. Sunday inside an apartment in the 8000 block of Owensmouth Avenue near Strathern Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

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Investigators now believe the boys' father shot and killed the twins before taking his own life during what police described as a family gathering. The father's name has not been released, according to the LAPD.

Police said the boys' mother told investigators she heard gunshots and went to a bedroom to investigate. The father closed the door, pulled out a handgun and fired at her, missing before shooting himself, police said.

The three victims were pronounced dead at the scene.

The boys were identified by the county medical examiner as Greysen and Joseph Chavez.

Neighbors told ABC 7 that multiple family members were gathered at the apartment before the shooting and said the gathering may have been a birthday celebration. Family members returned to the apartment complex Monday morning but declined to speak publicly.

A growing memorial of flowers, toys and candles could be seen outside the apartment building Monday.

One neighbor told KTLA the killings had left the community devastated.

"The kids never had a chance to have a life," the woman said.

Neighbors told reporters the boys lived at the apartment with their parents and grandparents.

The motive for the shooting remains under investigation.

The case comes less than two weeks after another San Fernando Valley murder-suicide in North Hills left two young children, their father and their mother dead.

Domestic violence resources are available by calling the confidential LA County Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-978-3600 and on the county Public Health Department's website.

City News Service contributed to this report.

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