Three children and woman killed in Michigan shooting

Three children and a woman have been found dead in a "horrific" shooting on a snow covered rural property in northern Kent County, Michigan.

Local sheriffs were called to a property in Solon Township, northwest of Cedar Springs, where they discovered a highly disturbing crime scene.

Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young told media the three children were primary school age and younger. She did not confirm if they were related and police have not yet declared the crime a murder-suicide.

"Very sad. Very, very sad," LaJoye-Young told Wood TV, an NBC affiliate. "It's been very difficult for our investigators and I'm sure it is for the community as well."

LaJoye-Young said it was "a horrific thing" for the department to be called out to.

"My heart goes out to the families involved here and the community," she added.

Sheriffs have not confirmed the gender of any of the victims or whether the bodies were found indoors or outside.

Forensic teams are now searching the property and interviewing the people who discovered the bodies and called 911 Monday afternoon (local time)

Roads have been closed around the home.

This is a breaking news story. More to come.