A 25-year-old man and his 15-year-old brother are dead in an apparent murder-suicide, Howard County Police say.

Investigators believe Michael Bassler shot and killed his younger brother, Steven Bassler, before turning the gun on himself Tuesday afternoon in their residence on the 5200 block of Five Fingers Way in Columbia.

Howard County Police said no one else appeared to be involved and that the motive is unknown. Police added in an email: “Nothing contradicts that this was a murder-suicide.”

Police spokesperson Sherry Llewellyn said she is not aware of the older Bassler having any prior police interactions in Howard County and does not have information on his mental health history.

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brenna.smith@thebaltimorebanner.com

This story’s photo caption has been updated with the correct spelling of Steven Bassler’s first name.