What should have been a joyous family gathering has ended in an unthinkable tragedy in Los Angeles.

Ten-year-old twin brothers Joseph and Greysen Chavez were found dead inside an apartment in the Canoga Park neighborhood on Sunday evening. Police believe the boys were shot by their father, who was also found dead at the scene.

The devastating incident unfolded during a birthday celebration for the children’s grandmother.

Police found three bodies in apartment

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, officers were called to an apartment complex on Owensmouth Avenue near Strathern Street at around 7:15 p.m. after reports of gunfire.

When they entered the apartment, they discovered the two boys and their 37-year-old father inside a bedroom. All three had suffered gunshot wounds to the head.

Investigators recovered a handgun at the scene and believe the father shot both children before taking his own life.

Police have not publicly identified the father and have not announced a possible motive.

Investigators believe the father fired at the boys’ mother during the incident, but missed and then turned the gun to himself.

Community struggles to understand what happened

The tragedy has left the local community in shock and grieving relatives gathered outside the complex as detectives worked through the night.

One neighbor told KTLA she had seen the family earlier that same day and remembered the twins as kind and friendly children.

– They were super nice. The sweetest boys ever, she said.

The reality of what had happened was difficult to accept.

– I really didn’t believe it until I saw them take out the bodies.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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