MONTGOMERY, Alabama (AP)  -- A man fatally shot his three children and took his own life as law officers searched for him on a domestic violence claim made by his estranged wife, police said.

Eric Robinson, 42, was found dead Sunday night in the house where his wife lived with their children, Lt. Keith Barnett said. Robinson, who lived at a different home, fatally shot the children, a 4-year-old girl and boys, 6 and 11, Barnett said.

The three were found in his car outside his wife's house.

The police spokesman said there had been an "ongoing domestic violence relationship" and officers had been looking for Robinson after his wife signed a warrant Sunday afternoon accusing him of violating a protective order.

The children were with Robinson for a normal visitation when his wife sought help and police began looking for him, Barnett said.

Neighbors said the home belonged to the children's grandmother, and that her daughter and grandchildren had moved in recently. The children's mother and grandmother were in the house when the shootings occurred, the neighbors said.

"It hurts my heart," said Sarah Graham, who lives across the street from the small red brick home. "If I can just cry it off, I would feel better. I cannot imagine a person losing three children. That has to be the most horrible thing."