— A husband and wife were found shot to death on Friday night during a break-in at a Fuquay-Varina home, police said.

The Fuquay-Varina Police Department responded at 8:41 p.m. to the house at 1713 McLaurin Lane in reference to the break-in in progress. Rebecka Pearce, 30, was staying at her parent's residence with her two daughters, ages 2 and 6.

When officers arrived on scene, they saw damage to the back door of the home. As they entered the house, officers heard shots fired and later found Rebecka Pearce and her husband, 34-year-old Jeremy Pearce, who were both dead.

Both of the children were found unharmed in a locked bedroom. Officers removed the girls and placed them with family members.

The family lived in Suncrest Village Lane in northeast Raleigh, but Rebecka Pearce and the girls had moved in with her parents in Fuquay-Varina.

Police said no other individual was found at the residence, and an initial investigation shows the shooting was a domestic violence situation.

Granville County Sheriff Brindell Wilkins confirmed that Jeremy Pearce used to be an active-duty deputy at the department. Wilkins said he was in "complete shock and saddened" by the news.

“He was a calm, laid-back gentle person, easy to get along with, mild-mannered,” Wilkins said.

Wilkins said Jeremy and Rebecka separated a couple of months ago. He knew the deputy was having marital problems but never saw this coming.

“I didn’t have a clue it was this bad. Nothing, never saw it coming,” Wilkins said.

Neighbors were shocked when they learned what had happened.

“We were told to stay inside, lock our doors, so we did,” said neighbor Hope Shell.

“I mean it can happen in any neighborhood, in any family. It’s sad that women today have to worry about this, and really have to fear for their lives because of one split decision. It can ruin everybody’s life, and that’s what’s happened,” Shell said.

Pearce worked for the sheriff's office for about three years.

​Anyone with information should contact the Fuquay-Varina Police Department at (919) 552-3191.