Damascus chef Mohamed Farid Abdallah, a 27-year-old from Damascus, Syria, killed his wife and three children in what authorities say was a premeditated murder-suicide.
Abdallah reportedly shot himself in the head after his wife called 911 to report her husband, who she says had a history of domestic violence.
The incident occurred on Tuesday evening in the early hours of Tuesday morning, the Syrian Civil Defense (SCC) reported.
Police and medical sources told the AFP news agency that Abdallah was found dead in his bedroom.
The SCC also reported that a man had reportedly called the police on the day of the shooting.
Police said they are still investigating the cause of the killing.
Abdahls wife and her children were reported to be in a stable condition.
An autopsy report was expected to be completed later.
According to the SCC, the couple were married in February 2016.
“The wife called us after the shooting, saying she was not sure if it was a suicide, or a planned attack.
She was told by the police that it was an act of self-defense,” the SPC said in a statement.
The news agency also reported on Monday that the wife was reportedly found in a nearby house where her husband had allegedly taken refuge in the past.
Police told Al Jazeera that there were no signs of forced entry.