Gunman shoots family dead before killing himself

A man shot dead his wife, her parents and his stepdaughter before killing himself at their home in Philadelphia.

A woman made a desperate phone call summoning police to the home but the line was disconnected as the rampage began.

Police arrived at the house minutes after the call but the gunman, identified as Michael Burgess, had already shot the four family members and himself.

Authorities identified the four as Cassandra Burgess, her parents Jim and Juanita Watkins and her 14-year-old daughter, Alexandra Wake. All five lived in the home.

When police arrived , they found Jim Watkins in the backyard with multiple gunshot wounds. He told police the gunman was inside.

Police found three bodies on the first floor and the girl's body on the second floor. Watkins died later.

A friend said the 44-year-old Burgess was taking medication for depression.

Neighbour Jeffrey Lewis, a friend of the family, said he had witnessed arguments between Burgess and his wife but did not believe them to be serious.