Brevard County deputies believe mother killed four children before turning gun on herself

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. - Investigators believe a Brevard County mother killed her four children before turning the gun on herself early Tuesday.

The mother is identified as Tanya Thomas, 33. The children are identified as Joel Johnson, 12, Jazlin Johnson, 13, Jaxs Johnson, 15 and Pebbles Johnson, 17.

The neighbor told deputies they were awakened by gunfire shortly before 5 a.m.  A short time later, there was a knock at the door.  Three children were at the door and appeared to have been shot, according to Brevard County Sheriff's Lt. Tod Goodyear.

He said Thomas came out of her house and called for the children, who returned to the residence.  The neighbor then called 911.

When officers arrived, one of the children, Pebbles, was found shot in the front yard.  Her body was retrieved and deputies began setting up a perimeter.

At one point, Goodyear said officers saw someone appear briefly at the front door and then heard more gunfire.

After SWAT members made their way inside, the bodies of the three other children and their mother were discovered.  

Goodyear said officers had responded to a domestic call at the home involving Jaxs and his mother "a few weeks ago."
Goodyear would not say if there was any indication the murders were planned in advance.

The father, who does not live at the home, was notified of the deaths.

abcactionnews.com will have updates as information becomes available.
wftv.com contributed to this report


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