MIDLAND, Ga. (AP) — In a tragic incident in west Georgia, police fatally shot a man who had opened fire on them after killing two of his stepchildren, according to law enforcement officials.

Kelly Grigsby, the man’s wife, recounted to deputies that she escaped with her 5-year-old child to a neighbor’s residence after her husband, 50-year-old Eric Grigsby, threatened her children with deadly intent. When authorities arrived at their Midland home, approximately 106 miles (170 km) south of Atlanta, around 6:50 p.m. Monday, Eric Grigsby emerged armed with two handguns, as per the police report.

Officers commanded Grigsby to drop his weapons, but instead, he aimed them at the deputies while advancing toward them. The deputies responded by firing a first volley that hit Grigsby, who retaliated by shooting back. The exchange continued until Grigsby was incapacitated and fell to the ground, ceasing movement. Fortunately, no officers were injured in the encounter.

Upon investigation, authorities discovered that Grigsby had fatally shot his 16-year-old stepson. Despite emergency responders’ efforts to save his 14-year-old stepson, the boy also succumbed to his injuries.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is currently conducting a thorough investigation into the shooting.

“The Deputies responded to the scene and did exactly as they were trained,” Harris County Sheriff Mike Jolley said in a statement.