Officer Injured in Shootout at Phoenix Apartment Complex

A man is accused of shooting and killing his estranged wife and their two children at a Phoenix apartment complex before getting into a Christmas Day shootout with officers and injuring one, authorities said Tuesday.

Police responded Monday afternoon to a report of gunfire and found a woman dead in the parking lot. Officers later found the bodies of a 10-month-old girl and an 11-year-old boy inside the apartment, reports the Associated Press .

Police tried to talk to Anthony Ross, 45, who barricaded himself inside the unit where he used to live, Sgt. Jonathan Howard said. Several hours later, he indicated he had killed the two children and began shooting at officers, authorities said. After a brief gunbattle, he was taken into custody.

Tactical units on Monday escorted residents from the area.

Ross, who was visiting Phoenix for the holidays, was not hurt, Howard said. One officer was injured by shrapnel and taken to the hospital in stable condition.