A Tennessee community is grappling with grief after a mother and her young daughter were found fatally shot in what authorities say was a murder-suicide carried out by the child’s father.

The victims, Randi Jean Shelton and her daughter Thea, were discovered inside a Warren County home on Sunday, March 8, after deputies responded to a welfare check, according to the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.

When officers arrived at the residence, they found the bodies of Randi and Thea, along with the child’s father, Joseph Nicholas Shelton Jr.

Investigators say Joseph Shelton shot both Randi and Thea before taking his own life.

Authorities have not released the age of Thea in their official statement, but the young girl was identified in tributes shared online by people who knew the family.

The sheriff’s office described the incident as a domestic-related shooting. As of now, investigators say a clear motive behind the killings has not been determined.

The tragedy has left friends, neighbors and coworkers mourning two lives described as kind, loving and deeply cherished.

Randi Shelton’s employer, Warren County Apparel Graphic Design Inc., shared an emotional tribute remembering her as far more than just a colleague.

“She was much more than an employee,” the company wrote in a statement shared online. “She was our daughter-in-law’s best friend and a family friend for many years.”

The message went on to describe both Randi and her daughter as warm and gentle people whose loss has left a deep void.

“She and Thea were both just sweet souls and they were greatly loved and will be forever in our hearts,” the tribute read.

Friends also remembered Randi as someone whose kindness left a lasting impression on those around her.

One acquaintance wrote online that every conversation with her was filled with warmth and positivity.

“Randi Hutchings Shelton was such a sweetheart,” the friend wrote. “Every interaction and conversation I’ve ever had with her was filled with kindness.”

Randi had also previously sold magnetic eyelashes, according to the tribute, and had built relationships with customers and friends through her work.

Sheriff Jackie D. Matheny Jr. acknowledged the devastating ripple effects of the incident in a statement addressing the community.

“This heartbreaking situation has impacted multiple families, including children who will forever carry the weight of this loss,” Matheny said.

Officials have not shared details about the events leading up to the shooting or whether law enforcement had previously responded to the home.

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to piece together what happened inside the residence.

For now, the quiet Tennessee community is left trying to process a tragedy that claimed two lives described by loved ones as compassionate and full of light.

As friends and family mourn Randi and her daughter Thea, tributes continue to pour in online — each message reflecting the same sentiment: a mother and child who were deeply loved, and whose loss will not be forgotten.

Anyone experiencing domestic violence can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. The service is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day in more than 170 languages.