HOPKINS, Minn. — A devastating act of violence at a licensed home daycare in Hopkins, Minnesota, left a mother and her young daughter dead Wednesday morning after police say the woman’s husband allegedly attacked them before taking his own life.

The incident occurred shortly after 9 a.m. Wednesday, August 12, at Brown Bear Childcare, a licensed in-home daycare on Tyler Avenue North in Hopkins, approximately 10 miles west of Minneapolis.

Hopkins police identified the couple as 41-year-old Nathan Brown and his wife, 41-year-old Kristen Brown. Their 7-year-old daughter was also killed in the incident.

According to Hopkins Police Chief Brent Johnson, investigators believe Nathan Brown stabbed his wife and daughter before fatally shooting himself.

Police were called to the residence after a parent arriving at Brown Bear Childcare to drop off a child reportedly witnessed at least part of the violence and contacted authorities.

Officers responded to the home for a reported domestic incident. When they entered the residence, they discovered Nathan Brown, Kristen Brown and their daughter dead.

Authorities said the deaths appeared to be connected to a domestic violence incident and are investigating the case as an apparent murder-suicide.

The circumstances surrounding the attack remain under investigation, and police have not released a possible motive.

The violence occurred while six other children were inside the daycare.

Despite the horrifying circumstances, authorities said none of the other children were physically injured. The children were removed from the residence and later reunited with their families.

Initial reports described the Browns’ daughter as younger than 5 years old, but subsequent information identified her as 7 years old.

Authorities have not indicated that any of the other children were specifically targeted during the incident.

Investigators are also examining a potentially related death reported later Wednesday in Burnsville, approximately 20 miles from Hopkins.

Burnsville police discovered a 78-year-old woman dead from an apparent stabbing inside a residence. Authorities said the woman was related to Nathan Brown, who reportedly had also been living at the Burnsville home.

Investigators believe the Burnsville death may be connected to the deadly incident at Brown Bear Childcare.

If authorities confirm the connection, the violence could have resulted in four deaths, including Brown, his wife, their daughter and the 78-year-old woman.

However, police have not publicly disclosed the exact relationship between Brown and the woman or established a complete timeline showing when the Burnsville killing occurred in relation to the daycare attack.

Authorities have not released a motive for the violence or provided additional details about what led to the deadly attacks.

Investigators are working to establish a timeline of events, determine the relationship between the Hopkins and Burnsville incidents, and gather additional evidence.

The investigation remains active, and authorities are expected to release further information as detectives continue reviewing the evidence surrounding the deaths.