Police say Scott Sabia, 45, shot and killed his wife, Michelle, 44, before turning the gun on himself. Watch video
UPDATE: Husband was depressed and 'just snapped,' cousin says
CARLSTADT -- A borough man shot his wife to death on their front lawn Wednesday and then locked himself in the house before committing suicide as a SWAT team arrived, authorities said.
The victims were identified as Scott Sabia, 45, and Michelle Sabia, 44. The couple had three children.
Police were called about 6:19 p.m. to the Sabia home at 505 Union St. on a report of shots fired, according to Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal.
Responding officers found Michelle Sabia's body outside the home, Grewal said.
"After shooting Mrs. Sabia on the front lawn of their home, (Scott) Sabia retreated to the home and locked himself in," Grewal said.
The Sabia's three children - ages 14, 11 and 9 - escaped before the shots rang out and were unharmed, the prosecutor said. A police source said the children "were secure" and being taken care of Wednesday night.
Members of the Bergen Regional SWAT team surrounded the house about 7:25 p.m. and tried for more than an hour to contact Scott Sabia, Grewal said.
"There was no response from Mr. Sabia to leave the home and ultimately the SWAT team entered the home," Grewal said.
Officers found Scott Sabia in the entryway, dead of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound, Grewal said.
The prosecutor released no further details and said investigators will try to determine motive.
The home has belonged to Scott and Michele R. Sabia since 2012, state tax records show.
Sabia's Facebook page lists his status as separated, but neighbors said he and his wife had recently reconciled.
During the standoff, confused and worried neighbors gathered behind yellow tape that closed off streets near the Sabia home. Some were in tears.
"This is a family neighborhood," said David Doyle, who lives in an apartment nearby. "It's a very, very quiet neighborhood.
Doyle said members of the Sabia family have lived in the area for decades.
Michele Sabia worked as a teacher in Rutherford, according to neighbors and Rutherford district documents. NBCNewYork.com reported Scott Sabia is the son of a former fire chief.
Sabia's Facebook wall shows pictures of him enjoying family outings in Lancaster, Pa., and at Wildwood last year.
His wall is also peppered with shared inspirational posts from organizations promoting mental health awareness.
"I'm good for a while....but then something happens and a switch turns off somewhere and all I'm left with is the darkness of my mind," one of the posts reads.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Staff writer Paul Milo contributed to this report.