Editor's note: This story references the deaths of children as well as suicide. Resources for those in crisis have been included with this story.
The Larimer County Coroner's Office has released the identities of the man and two children found dead in a possible murder-suicide at a home in southeast Fort Collins on Saturday.
Fort Collins police responded to a home in the 3500 block of Stratton Drive about 10:25 a.m. after a man called 911 and said three people were dead inside the home.
Officers did not get a response from anyone inside the home when they arrived on scene, so SWAT officers entered in an attempt to help anyone inside, police said in a statement Saturday.
Police found a deceased man and two deceased children inside the home, according to Saturday's news release. Police said they believe the man found dead inside the home was the one who called 911. Shortly after the man called 911, a shelter-in-place alert was issued for the area including Stratton Drive from Mansfield Drive to Kingston Drive. That alert was lifted about three hours later.
The Larimer County Coroner's Office identified the man as 36-year-old Adam Zipperer of Fort Collins. His death was ruled a suicide.
The children were identified as 8-year-old Cameron Zipperer and 6-year-old Audrey Zipperer, both from Timnath. Their deaths were ruled homicides by gunshot wounds.
The shooting is being investigated as a possible murder-suicide based on preliminary information, police said Saturday. Fort Collins police have not provided an update on the investigation as of 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The children attended Timnath Elementary School, Poudre School District spokesperson Madeline Noblett said.
"Words simply don't suffice at a time like this," Noblett said in an email to the Coloradoan. "Our hearts hurt for their loved ones, friends and all who knew Audrey and Cameron. They were members of our PSD family and will be greatly missed."
Resources for students, parents
Members of the district's mental health and employee assistance services teams have been at Timnath Elementary School to support students and staff and will continue to be available as needed, Noblett said.
The district has also provided parents and guardians the following additional resources if they need support beyond what the school and district can offer:
SummitStone Community Crisis Center: 1217 Riverside Ave., Fort Collins; 970-494-4200
Pathways of Northern Colorado: 970-663-3500
Child, Adolescent, and Young Adult Connections (CAYAC): 970-221-3308
Connections (adult services): 970-221-5551
Resources for people in crisis
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255, or call 988
SummitStone Crisis Stabilization Unit, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: summitstonehealth.org/services/
UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital and Medical Center of the Rockies crisis centers: uchealth.org/services/behavioral-health/
This story may be updated.
Coloradoan content coach Sarah Kyle contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Man, 2 children dead in Fort Collins possible murder-suicide ID'd
