HOUSTON -- Houston homicide investigators confirmed Thursday morning that three people are dead and two others are in critical condition after a family of five was shot in their southeast Houston home around 6 a.m. Thursday, according to a Houston homicide detective.

Police believe Anthony Quinn Francois, 35, the ex-boyfriend of Shamika Patterson, 16, shot Patterson's sisters at their home on Rock Rose near Briscoe before 6 a.m. Thursday. Officials said a handgun was used in the killings and they suspect the shooter left the scene on foot.

"It was Shamika who was able to make a 911 call to (the home) and when the responding officer got there, the officer asked, 'Who did this? Who shot you?' She said, 'My boyfriend Anthony,'" Houston Police Department spokesman John Cannon said.

Investigators said the children's 34-year-old mother, Sheila Patterson, was found outside the home and four children -- ranging in age from 10 to 16 years old -- were found inside the home.

Brittany Patterson, 10, Ashley, 11, and Nakisha, 15, were found shot to death in their beds, according to police.

They also said there was evidence that one of the children and the mother struggled with the shooter.

Officials reported that Shamika Patterson was getting ready for school when the shootings occured. Police said Shamika told them her jealous boyfriend -- who has a criminal past -- shot her family. Relatives said the 35-year-old was angry after the 16-year-old girl spurned him.

"People had told Shamika about him. She told him she didn't want to be with him no more. He couldn't accept the fact she didn't want him no more," a friend said.

Francois is wanted by police for questioning in the shootings. Investigators are using helicopters and dogs to search for Francois.

Shamika and her mother were in surgery Thursday morning.