From AOL.
A man who shot himself after killing three women last night was a licensed holder of firearms, it emerged today.
The bodies of the man, in his 40s, and the three women were found in close proximity downstairs in the semi-detached house in Greenside Avenue, Peterlee, after officers were alerted to shots being fired shortly before 11.45pm yesterday.
This morning at a press conference Superintendent Ivan Wood confirmed that a resident of the house held a firearms licence.
Police also confirmed that a teenage woman who suffered minor injuries escaped through an upstairs window, and there were other people in the house at the time who also survived, including a man who was initially arrested but later released without charge.
Detective Superintendent Paul Goundry said all the deceased were related. He also revealed that police had had "minor contact" with the family in the past.
A 19-year-old woman who was admitted to hospital with minor shotgun injuries had been discharged, police said
A spokesman said all four are related or known to each other and at this stage they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths. A shotgun was found lying next to the man's body.
Neighbours in Greenside Avenue said the people involved were "normal, ordinary people".
Robert Bailey, 72, a long-standing resident of Greenside Avenue, spoke of his shock following the news.
"There is shock. There is never any trouble here and we have been here for nearly 50 years," he said.
Durham Police said officers were alerted by a caller reporting that a number of people had been shot inside the property.
Firearms officers were quickly deployed to the scene and when they entered the property they discovered four bodies - one male, three female - in different rooms in the downstairs of the house. Paramedics confirmed all four were dead at the scene.
The man is believed to be in his early 40s and while the ages of the female victims have not yet been established, it is thought the youngest was in her teens.
The area has been cordoned off since shortly after midnight and police say the house will be subjected to a forensic examination.
Anyone with information is being asked to contact Durham Constabulary on 101 or to ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.