Police have confirmed that the female victim of a double shooting in Walsall, named locally as Clare Sly, is related to the man who has been arrested in connection with the incident.
Detectives are questioning two people after a man and a woman were shot dead at a house in Laneside Gardens in Birchills, Walsall, early on Friday.
Police conducted immediate enquiries and swooped to arrest a 23-year-old man and 22-year-old woman near the scene.
Neighbours spoke of their shock but said that they had not heard any gunshots being fired.
The dead woman, believed to be a teaching assistant and a mother of two children.
West Midlands Police are yet to release the names of either the man or the woman and they would not confirm or deny the name given to the press by neighbours.
Formal identification will be released when a postmortem has taken place.
Ambulance crews were called to the address at 1.37am but could not save the pair. The street was quickly cordoned off as the police investigation started.
Detective Inspector Michaela Kerr, of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, said: "Both the man and woman sustained gunshot injuries and they received emergency treatment at the scene, however they could not be saved and died a short time later.
"We are treating their deaths as suspicious and two people were arrested nearby in connection with the incident. They are in custody this morning and will be questioned by detectives."
Local officers will be joined by detectives in the area today to assist with enquiries and speak to people in the community who may have information, or concerns, regarding events overnight.
The road remains closed whilst forensic searches are conducted.
Neighbour Sandy Varma, aged 34, said: "I'm in shock. It's just not something you expect.
"She had two young boys I think."
Bill Mason, 81, who has lived in the area for 45 years, added: "She was at work most of the time.
"I saw her occasionally when she put the bins out and I only spoke to her a couple of times each year.
"I didn't hear any shots."
Police appeal for anyone with information to speak to Force CID at Bloxwich police station by dialling 101, or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
