Authorities: Gunman shot ex-wife, her new husband then self

UPDATE 1/8/19: Idaho authorities say a man who killed two people and held two children hostage for a time before killing himself was the ex-husband of one of the victims.

The Ada County Coroner’s office identified the shooter as Edward Lynn Epps Jr. of Boise. Police say he shot and killed his ex-wife, Heidi De Leon, and her husband, Jose De Leon, after forcing his way into the De Leons’ home Sunday afternoon.

The Meridian Police Department says Epps was armed with two handguns when he attacked the family, shooting Jose De Leon multiple times as De Leon tried to stop him from following Heidi, who ran toward the back of the house. Epps then forced his way into a back bedroom, where he shot Heidi De Leon multiple times.

During the attack the 13-year-old girl managed to escape the home and run for help. Epps held the other girls, aged 10 and 11, hostage for a time before police convinced him to release the children during the standoff.

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Three adults are dead and three children are safe after a standoff at a home in Meridian, Idaho on Sunday afternoon.

Meridian Police Department Deputy Chief Tracy Basterrechea says the suspect went to the home and shot and killed a 47-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman after a fight started.

A 13-year-old girl was able to escape the home and ran to a neighbor’s house and called for help. Police say two other children – an 11-year-old and a 10-year-old – were held hostage by the 39-year-old suspect inside the home for a time, but were eventually released after police negotiations.

After the children were released, the suspect killed himself.

The shooting remains under investigation. Police say the shooter was known to the victims but their relationship wasn’t immediately clear.