Three children were fatally shot by another sibling, who then turned the gun on himself, Alaska State Troopers said.

A 15-year-old boy shot and killed three siblings at a home near Fairbanks, Alaska, and was found dead with an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said.

Alaska State Troopers in a statement, said they received a report of shots being fired at a Fairbanks home on Tuesday afternoon. Responding troopers found four children who had died from apparent gunshot wounds. The children’s parents were not home at the time, the troopers said.

DeSpain said the children who are dead were ages 5, 8, 17 and 15.

Troopers said their investigation shows a 15-year-old boy shot three siblings and then shot himself. DeSpain said the question of motive is part of the investigation.

The bodies were being sent to the state medical examiner's office.

DeSpain said the gun was a "family gun but beyond that, it's all still part of the ongoing investigation." He could not say if the 15-year-old had had any previous interactions with law enforcement, saying that would be part of the investigation.

Troopers said the state Office of Children's Services had been notified. A spokesperson for the state Department of Family and Community Services did not immediately comment, according to report.