Two children were reportedly left alone in an Alabama apartment overnight after a man shot and killed a woman and then turned the gun on himself.

Al.com reports that the apparent murder-suicide reportedly occurred while the children — ages 6 and 2 — were in the Tarrant apartment on Hatchet Avenue.

Investigators believe the male shot the female in the head, put the girls in a bedroom and then eventually turned the gun on himself.

Tarrant police officers went to the home and knocked on the door after they received a call from concerned family members. No one answered.  Without probable cause, officers were not able to enter the residence.

Police returned early Friday morning after a family member made forced entry into the house and found the horrific scene inside. The family member took the children out of the house and they are now in their care.

Authorities have not yet released the names of the man and woman.