Young children, same-sex couple killed in act of 'savagery' in upstate New York identified by police
The four were found early Tuesday afternoon in a basement apartment in Troy, NY.
— -- Police have identified the 5-year-old girl, 11-year-old boy and same-sex couple found dead in an upstate New York apartment in a killing described by the police chief as "savagery."
The slain children were Shanise Myers, 5, and her brother Jeremiah Myers, 11, the Troy Police Department said today.
![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/US/shanise-myers-ht-ml-171228.jpg)
![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/US/jeremiah-myers-ht-ml-171228.jpg)
The children's mother, Shanta Myers, 36, was also killed, as well as Brandi Mells, 22, who police said was in a relationship with Shanta Myers.
![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/US/shanta-myers-ht-ml-171228_3x4_992.jpg)
![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/US/brandi-mells-ht-ml-171228_3x4_992.jpg)
The four were found early Tuesday afternoon in a basement apartment in Troy, about 8 miles outside of Albany, police said.
![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/US/troy-home-homicide-02-ap-jef-171227_4x3_992.jpg)
Now, police are desperate for answers.
Troy Police Chief John Tedesco said the killings aren't believed to be a random act, adding police do not believe there is any imminent danger to the public.
At a news conference Wednesday, Tedesco urged anyone with information to contact the police.
"The emotions of a police officer are something you repress because there is a job to be done," Tedesco said, adding that no one involved in this case will ever forget it.
![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/US/troy-home-homicide-ap-jef-171227_10x7_992.jpg)