Mom, 3 kids found dead in burning Indiana home had been shot, cops say

An Indiana mother and her three children — the youngest age 6 — were found shot dead inside a burning home this week, state police said.

Firefighters made the horrific discovery about 4 pm Tuesday, after racing to a burning home on Telegraph Hill Road in the city of Madison on the Ohio River, wrote Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, with the Indiana State Police, in a news release Wednesday.

The victims were identified as Naomi Briner, 35; Adelia Briner, 12; Leland Briner, 8; and Iyla Briner, 6. All four were pronounced dead at the scene.

Naomi Briner is believed to be the mother of the three children, authorities said.

Investigators said all four victims “had injuries consistent with gunshot wounds.”

They did not say who pulled the trigger, or what caused the fire that ravaged the family’s home.

“This is an ongoing investigation,” Wheeles stated. “However, at this time, investigators do not believe that there is a threat to the public.”

Neighbor Ralph Dean Jr. told the station WLKY that he heard gunshots Tuesday afternoon, followed by what sounded like an explosion, and then saw flames. Hours later, he looked on as the coroner removed two bodies from the Briner family’s charred home.

“I pretty much knew it was kids and that’s when I was remembering them coming out and playing,” Dean said.

The violent deaths sent shockwaves through the community, located about 100 miles southeast of Indianapolis.

“What a tragedy,” another neighbor, Carol Woodfill, told the outlet through tears, “These children are gone now. With no future, no life, but I believe they are in heaven with God.”