In a devastating turn of events, three children between the ages of 9 and 13 were killed in what police suspect to be a murder-suicide after their mother allowed her ex-partner to take them out for a meal. The incident took place in Norcross, Georgia, approximately 20 miles northeast of Atlanta.

The grim discovery was made by a police officer patrolling Lucky Shoals Park in the early hours of Wednesday. Inside a parked vehicle on a walking trail, the bodies of the three children and an adult male were found shortly after 1 a.m.

The children have been identified as 13-year-old Arianny Rodriguez, 11-year-old Chadal Rodriguez, and 9-year-old Carlos Rodriguez, according to Gwinnett County Police. The suspected perpetrator, identified as Jose Plasencia, 56, was previously in a relationship with the children's mother.

Authorities revealed that the children's mother was at the hospital due to an unrelated injury suffered by another one of her children. Plasencia, who is the father of the injured child, met the mother and children at the hospital. After some time, the mother agreed to let the three children go with Plasencia to grab a bite to eat, while she remained at the hospital.

Expressing their deep condolences, Gwinnett County Police Sgt. Michele Pihera called the incident a tragedy. She assured the public that the police department would spare no effort in investigating the incident like any other homicide case, with the aim of bringing closure to the grieving families involved.

The shocking events have left the community in Norcross reeling as they come to terms with the immense loss and seek answers to the unthinkable tragedy. Support services will be made available to the families affected by the incident, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward to assist in the ongoing investigation.

As the investigation unfolds, the names of the children and the memories they leave behind will forever be etched in the hearts of those left behind in this heart-wrenching tragedy.