In an apparent murder-suicide, Glen Hochman, a police officer who had just retired in January, shot and killed two of his teenage daughters along with their family dogs, before turning the gun on himself. The bodies were found in the family home at around 3:50 p.m. Saturday after police received a 911 call from a neighbor about “suspicious activity.” The wife and oldest daughter of the 22-year veteran of the White Plains Police Department were not at home.

Hochman’s body was found in the garage by police. The bodies of the two girls, 13-year-old Deanna and 17-year-old Alissa were found on the main level of the house. Police said they had been dead “for hours.” A note was left at the scene, according to police sources. Anthony Marraccini, Harrison Police chief, said that the deaths “would appear to be a double murder-suicide,” and said that there is no motive known at this time.

Both the high school and the police department are shaken by the killings. Counseling is being offered to students. Chris Garritano, 17, is a senior at Harrison High School and was a classmate of Alissa’s. He says there are “no words to describe it.” He said it is “unreal” to see her gone. David Chong, White Plains Public Safety Commissioner, said the police department is “shocked and horrified” by the tragic news.

Neighbors noted that Hochman and his wife were having marital problems. He retired from the force only a few weeks before his death. Hochman is described as unassuming and mild-mannered, a long-time volunteer with the Harrison Emergency Medical Services who last May won the lifesaving award for his department.

Alissa had worked at a local catering company and was learning to drive. A neighbor described Alissa and Deanna, who was in seventh grade, as sweet girls. Hochman’s wife, Anamarie and Samantha, the couple’s oldest daughter, had spent the day at the Mohegan Sun Casino. Police said they were certain that the two had not been the ones to find the bodies.