The retired police captain sprayed a dozen bullets at his wife, aunt and two German shepherds on Sunday afternoon. He then called the local police station and told them that he “didn’t feel well,” according to local daily Var-Matin.

After hanging up, the retiree shot himself twice in the heart. Two weapons were found on his body, an automatic gun and a .45-caliber pistol.

The mayor of Biot Jean-Pierre Dermit – who knew the couple – says he is deeply distressed by the attack. “Recently, there were rumours he was depressed,” Dermit told Var Matin.

“He was a former police captain who had worked in Antibes for a long time. He was well known here,” he says.

Dermit says he is saddened that tragedy is striking Biot once again. In January, a man shot his wife in Biot before committing suicide.