Authorities said they believe a man used a rifle to kill his wife and three young children -- two boys and a girl under age 10 -- before turning the weapon on himself, the Houston Chronicle reported.

The bodies were found in a run-down house. Neighbors said they had heard gunshots early Friday, the Chronicle said.

Police and neighbors told the newspaper the family, which was believed to be struggling financially, was from Mexico or El Salvador and had been living in the home for four or five years. The man had been working odd jobs and his wife was caring for the children, a neighbor said.

"It's just so sad," said neighbor Janice Bethea. "I can't imagine how anyone could hurt their own children, but I heard he was having really bad money problems."