A 44-year-old woman and her 13-year-old daughter were shot to death Sunday night in Rittman, Ohio, in an attack that authorities say was carried out by the woman's ex-partner before he took his own life.

The victims were identified as Christine McWilliams, a real estate agent and mother of two, and 13-year-old McKinley McWilliams. The alleged attacker, Brandon Fazekas, 38, was found dead inside the home with a gunshot wound that, according to the Wayne County Coroner's Office, is consistent with suicide.

The attack began after a call about a break-in

According to Rittman Police, officers responded around 9:54 p.m. Sunday to a home located on Chippewa Trail after receiving a 911 call reporting a break-in and shots fired, Fox8 reported.

Upon arriving at the scene, the officers were greeted with shots allegedly fired by Fazekas.

During the confrontation, Sergeant Scott Ries, a member of the Rittman Police Department since 2015 and the first officer of that corporation to die in the line of duty, died.

Additionally, four Medina County Sheriff's Office deputies were injured by gunfire. Two were taken to a hospital, while the others received treatment at the scene. A police dog, identified as Vick, also suffered injuries from bullet fragments and was later released from a veterinary hospital.

Neighbor claims that the couple had separated months before

A neighbor, identified as Tim Hershman, stated that he began hearing gunshots around 9:30 p.m. and estimated that between 70 and 75 detonations were carried out during the attack.

He also claimed that the relationship between McWilliams and Fazekas had ended approximately two months before the crime and that the woman had changed the locks on her home about three weeks before.

According to his story, Fazekas seemed “a good person” before the events, although he considered that “something changed” in his behavior. He added that the man did not have a good relationship with Christine's son, who was not at home when the attack occurred.

Photographs published on social networks show that the couple had shared several years of relationship.

The suspect had a criminal record

According to information cited by local media, Brandon Fazekas had previously been arrested in Wayne and Medina counties.

Among the charges he faced were trespassing, vandalism and forgery in Medina County. He also served a 148-day jail sentence after violating the conditions of his probation.

In Wayne County he also had minor violations, including unauthorized use of a vehicle and speeding.

After the tragedy, neighbors placed flowers and messages in front of the McWilliams family home.

Fundraisers were also held to support Christine's son, identified as Landon, who lost his mother and sister in the attack. The resources will be used to cover funeral expenses, psychological support and other needs derived from the tragedy.

For its part, the city organized a vigil in memory of Sergeant Scott Ries.

Rittman Mayor Charles Rudy Arnold said the community is going through “the most difficult days the city has known in a long time” and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims.

The investigation remains led by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.