A man, his wife and his sister were found dead of apparent gunshot wounds after authorities in Maumelle responded to a fire at a house Friday night.
Maumelle Police Department Capt. Jim Hansard said in a statement the investigation was ongoing but it appeared to be an arson and a double murder-suicide. He said police did find a weapon inside and believe they know who the shooter was, but are not yet releasing that information as the investigation continues.
Fire crews responded to the home at 151 Auriel Circle shortly before 10 p.m., entered and found an unconscious woman inside the front door, Hansard's statement said. She was pulled outside, where a police officer found she was dead and had an apparent gunshot wound in her forehead.
A second dead woman with an apparent gunshot wound was found in a bedroom, and a dead man was found in the living room with a gunshot wound in his head, the statement said. Two dogs were also found dead with gunshot wounds inside.
The three people were identified as 41-year-old James Wilbanks, a UALR professor; his wife, 27-year-old Tatiana Wilbanks; and his sister, 31-year-old Elizabeth Wilbanks, all residents of the home.
The motive was not clear Saturday morning.
"We are investigating that," Hansard said. "We do not know."
The home was reportedly significantly damaged by the fire.