63-year-old Anthony Alvarez allegedly shot his two daughters in Orosi, California, killing one and critically injuring the other, while leaving his three grandchildren behind before shooting himself.

"It's a very cut-and-dry case," said Sergeant Chris Douglass.

Police arrived at the residence after the youngest of the three grandchildren, an 8-year-old girl, reported the gunfire just before dawn, reported Fox News.

According to a statement released by the Tulare County Sheriff's Department, the shootings occurred on a residential street just outside the home where the grandchildren were located.

Tragically, the grandchildren's mother, 37-year-old cafeteria worker Jennifer Kimble, died from multiple gunshot wounds, leaving behind an 8-year-old, and two 11 and 13-year-old boys.

"I'm just as surprised as anyone else right now," said Brenda Lightfoot-Handy, the director of food services at Palm Elementary where Kimble worked.

"I'm just trying to process this."

Kimble's sister Valerie Alvarez, 33, sustained at least one gunshot wound and is currently in stable condition after having surgery at Fresno hospital.

Since the tragedy, the children have reunited with their father, who was at work during the shootings, reported Oklahoman.com.

The investigation will continue over what occurred and why the children were spared, along with autopsies to be performed later this week.