South Jordan police are investigating the deaths of two young boys and their father in what authorities believe is a murder-suicide.

Lt. Matt Pennington said police believe the brothers — ages 8 and 10 — were shot and killed by their biological father Tuesday afternoon in the home near Indigo Sky Way and Pentenwell Lane. The man had reportedly been babysitting the boys while their mother, his ex-wife, was at work, according to Pennington.

Officers were called to the home shortly after 4 p.m. and found the woman with her 8-year-old son, who was critically wounded in the living room, he said. The 10-year-old boy and man were found dead in other parts of the house, according to Pennington.

“It was a horrible scene,” he said.

The younger boy was taken to Riverton Hospital, where he later died, Pennington said.

The police spokesman said the man and woman had been separated for some time, but authorities have responded to domestic calls to the house, with the most recent record from October. While the investigation is ongoing, Pennington said police believe the man was watching the brothers and killed them between 3:30 and 4 p.m., when the boys’ mother arrived at home and called for help.

South Jordan police are not yet identifying the boys or the man pending notification of relatives.