HARVARD, Neb. — Authorities are investigating a suspected murder-suicide in rural south-central Nebraska.

It happened around 8:30 Friday night at a home 15 miles south of Aurora in rural Clay County. Officials with the Nebraska State Patrol say they believe 39-year-old Toby Gray shot his wife, 35-year-old Heather Gray, and then shot himself. Heather died from a gunshot wound. A medical helicopter flew Toby to a Lincoln hospital with life-threatening injuries. He remains in critical condition.

A State Patrol news release says three young children were in the house but weren’t injured. Authorities placed took them into protective care and placed them with family.

The Nebraska State Patrol is leading the investigation.