It happened at about 9 p.m. Thursday at a home on Clairidge Lane in Gwinnett County.

Gwinnett County police identified those killed as Atania Butler, 28; Lakeisha Parker, 30; Rico Zimmerman, 19; and an 11-year-old girl, whose name was being withheld.

A 4-year-old girl was also shot and was being treated at Scottish Rite Hospital. Her condition is said to be improving, according to family members.

Police said Butler was the mother of both the 11-year-old and the 4-year-old. Family and friends told Channel 2 Action News reporter Richard Elliot that Butler was set to start a new job Friday.

Police have not said how Parker and Zimmerman were related to the situation.

Police said Richard Ringold, 44, shot and killed the four victims. Officials said Ringold lived in the home and, for reasons unknown, opened fire on everyone in his house.

"We believe he may have been the boyfriend of one of the occupants of the home," said Cpl. Illana Spellman with the Gwinnett County Police Department.

After the shootings, Ringold fled the scene in his vehicle, police said.

Shortly after midnight, Ringold arrived on the scene inside the vehicle that officers had been looking for. The driver identified himself to officers as Richard Ringold, police said. Officers handcuffed and arrested Ringold without incident

Ringold was charged with four counts of murder and one count of aggravated assault.

Ringold was being held at the Gwinnett County Detention Center without bond.