POLICE IN COLORADO HAVE taken a 12-year-old boy into custody after his parents were killed and two siblings seriously injured.

Steven Johnson of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation said the boy had called 911 to report shots fired at home, saying that at least three people had been shot.

Police found the bodies of the boy’s parents, Charles and Marilyn Long, as well two injured children – a 5-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy.

Johnson said police were not looking for any other suspects, the AP reports.

Neighbours said the Long family was deeply religious and the children were home-schooled. A candlelit vigil was held outside the Long’s house last night and over 100 people attended a special prayer service.

Local pastor Ron Lee said a lot of confusing reports had come out, but locals aren’t sure what to believe. Lee said there were no changes in jobs, housing or schooling in the family that might provide some clues as to what happened.

The warrants relating to the deaths are sealed, but investigators have referred the case to prosecutors for possible charges.

- AP