Police on Friday released the identity of the father who they say killed his children and then turned the gun on himself Thursday in the Orange County town of Wallkill.

Investigators said John Casullo, a 48-year-old retired Town of Newburgh police officer, shot his own children - 8-year-old James and 12-year-old Kathleen - in their home on Fifth Avenue before killing himself. Both children had autism, and they were shot shortly after Kathleen returned home from school, state police said. The bodies were discovered by Casullo's estranged wife.

Neighbors said the family was private and kept the blinds shut at the house. They added that Child Protective Services had been called to the home several times.

Authorities have not commented on a motive for the shooting or confirmed whether CPS had visited the house.

Casullo retired from law enforcement in 2007 after a back injury.