INDEPENDENCE - Investigators said three children are in the state's care after their parents died in a double murder and suicide overnight in Independence.

Police Chief Frank Edwards said the kids are ages 15 and younger and in the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services.

Edwards said just before 10:30 p.m. Tuesday someone called 911 about a shooting at Angie's Bar on Highway 51 North. Investigators said 35-year-old Thomas Ransom shot his estranged wife, 38-year-old April Ransom, as well as a man with her, 43-year-old Joseph Cormier. Edwards said Ransom then shot himself.

Investigators said the Ransoms are the children's parents.

Police said the bar was open at the time and several people saw the shooting as it happened. Surveillance video also backed up their accounts, according to police.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office processed the crime scene and is assisting with the investigation at the police department's request.