Canadian police discovered five people dead from gunshot wounds, including three children and the suspected shooter, in two residential homes in border towns in a case described on Tuesday as an "unspeakable tragedy."

The victims were found late Monday evening in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, near the confluence of three of the Great Lakes, bordering Michigan, approximately 430 miles north of Toronto, after police received reports of break-ins.

A 41-year-old man was found "dead from a gunshot wound" in the first house. "The shooter fled the scene before the police arrived," the police statement said.

Ten minutes later, another emergency call led the police to another house just 2.3 miles away.

There, they discovered three deceased children aged six, seven, and 12, along with the suspected shooter, who apparently died "from a self-inflicted gunshot wound."

Another injured individual, aged 45, was found with gunshot wounds and transported to the hospital.

In a statement, Chief of Police Sue Hugh Stevenson stated that these incidents are connected and are the "result of intimate partner violence."

"Our community has once again experienced tragic and unnecessary loss of life," Stevenson said in the statement. "The grief that the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims are experiencing is unimaginable. Our hearts go out to them. As our community mourns this tragedy, I urge everyone to look out for each other. If you are struggling or if you see someone you know struggling, please make use of the mental health support services available in our community."

On social media, Mayor Matthew Shoemaker called the shooting an "unspeakable tragedy."

In a Tuesday social media post, the police urged the public to refrain from calling the police for more information about the shooting.

"While we understand our community is trying to make sense of these recent tragic events, we ask that you refrain from calling our non-emergency/business line and requesting additional information about the incidents," the police said. "We will be posting updates as our investigation allows, both on our website and through social media. Thank you, stay safe, and take care of each other."

According to government data, the number of firearm-related crimes in Canada decreased from 2020 to 2021, constituting a "small fraction of all violent crimes." However, the number of shootings increased compared to a decade ago.