A 4-year-old Visalia boy hid in a closet while members of Tulare County SWAT slowly crept through the house.

The closet was where Levi hid when he was scared, Sheriff Mike Boudreaux said. The toddler pulled a blanket over himself.

Levi's father, Victor Ramirez, had been gunned down moments before SWAT entered the home. Levi's step-grandfather was holding the boy's grandmother hostage in the master bedroom.

Deputies who rescued the boy have endearingly called him "Little Levi."

Before deputies could reach Levi, Anthony Moreno shot and killed his wife, Denise Moreno. He then turned the gun on himself.

The motive behind the deadly double-homicide-suicide is still unclear. Early reports point to a domestic violence situation.

The night before, deputies had been called to the home in the 31800 block of Road 138 in Visalia, near Avenue 320. The dispute was verbal and hadn't escalated, so deputies left.

Anthony and Denise's 15-year-old daughter called deputies just after 8 p.m. Wednesday night. She told dispatchers her father had fired a gun in the home.

When deputies arrived, they were able to make contact with several family members. They told deputies that Anthony Moreno ordered his wife to her knees and pointed the gun to her head as family members ran from the home.

Levi's mother was able to get to safety with two of her child in her arms. She couldn't grab Levi in time.

She pleaded with deputies to bring her Levi to safety, Boudreaux said.

After clearing each room, SWAT found Levi in the closet. They carried the toddler to safety and reunited him with his mother. She wept.

"I would hope that Little Levi didn't see any of this," Boudreaux said.

Negotiations were repeatedly made by deputies. Anthony Moreno didn't respond. They eventually found the lifeless couple in the master bedroom.

Ramirez, who was shot and killed first, was found in the garage. They believe he was running away as Anthony Moreno pulled the trigger.

Neighbors said the family has had "problems" in the past.

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Stephanie Yocum has lived in the quiet country community for nearly a decade. She slept through the commotion but said her husband noticed patrol cars and a deputy walking near their home.

"When I heard what happened, I knew exactly who it was," she said.

Although Yocum never had a problem with her neighbor, she had been warned by others of his "erratic" behavior.

Anthony Moreno had a history of domestic violence in Los Angeles County dating back to the 1980s, Boudreaux said. However, he has no criminal history in Tulare County.

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"Detectives are still determining the motive behind this tragedy and autopsies will be performed to learn the exact causes of death," sheriff officials reported.

Anyone with information regarding the case should call the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department at 733-6218. An anonymous tip can be sent to 725-4194.