A woman and two children were killed before a police officer was injured during a six-hour standoff with a gunman who barricaded himself inside an apartment on Christmas Day.

A woman with a gunshot wound was found dead at 3:45 p.m. outside the apartment in Phoenix, Ariz., in what appears to be a domestic violence incident, according to Sgt. Jonathan Howard.

The man then barricaded himself inside the apartment with an infant and an 11-year-old while authorities tried to negotiate with the hopes of rescuing the two children, the Arizona Republic reported. 

When police realized the baby was dead, they deployed an explosive to distract the gunman and tried to make entry, prompting the gunman to open fire, the Republic reported.

A police officer was injured by shrapnel in the resulting shootout and transported to the hospital in stable condition, Howard said.

The gunman, who did not appear to be injured, was taken into custody around 10 p.m. local time, according to police.

He was visiting Phoenix for Christmas and had a relationship with the woman, although police did not clarify their status, the Republic reported. 

Both children were found dead inside the apartment. It remains unclear when they were fatally shot, although Howard said it was possible all three killings occurred Monday afternoon. 

Kristen Alexander, who was escorted back to her apartment in the Highland Apartment complex after spending more than five hours outside in a parking lot, told the Republic, “I’m terrified of who our neighbors are.”

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