Dallas, June 17: In a startling case of murder in Iowa's Dallas county, four members of a family were found shot dead inside their house. The deceased, all of Indian-origin, were seen in a pool of blood by guests staying at their house. The suspected assailants had fled from the spot before the guests reached the spot of crime.

The murder was reported on Saturday morning in the apartment in West Des Moines, where the family of four were staying. The Dallas police, which rushed to the spot immediately after the killing, has launched a probe into the incident. West Chester Shooting: Sikh Family of Four Killed in Cincinnati Suburb

The deceased include a husband, wife and their two children -- both boys. Identity of the victims are as follows: Chandrasekhar Sunkara, 44; Lavanya Sunkara, 41; and two minors aged 15 and 10.

The bullet-ridden bodies have been sent for examination. While the autopsy report is awaited, an official privy to the probe told the local media that multiple gun shots were fired at the victims leading to their deaths on the spot.

"We are continuing to work through this investigation. We will follow through until we have answered as many questions as the evidence allows," said Sergeant Dan Wade with the West Des Moines Police Department.

The motive behind the killing is yet to be ascertained, he further said, adding that neither any suspect has been identified so far.

The fatal incident comes over a month after a Sikh family-of-four were found similarly murdered inside their house. The incident, on May 1, is being probe as a case of "hate crime".

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 17, 2019 10:02 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).