A shooting in Zagreb's Kajzerica neighbourhood late on Thursday night left six people dead - two men, three women, and a 10-year-old child. In a crime that shocked the nation, only a baby was found at the scene unharmed. The killer committed suicide in the early hours of Friday morning, before he could be arrested, the police reported.

The police was called to the scene at around 9.30 pm on Thursday, by neighbours who said they had heard gunshots and cries.

Upon entering the house they found six people shot dead, as well as a baby who was alive and unharmed. Local media reported the baby was seven months old, but the police did not confirm whether that was the case.

After launching a city-wide manhunt, the police reported at around 4 am on Friday that the gunman had committed suicide before he could be arrested, in the Brezovica district in southwest Zagreb.

The gunman had connections with one of the young women killed, with whom he was previously involved and was the father of the baby he had left alive, Zagreb police chief Marko Rasic told reporters on Friday morning.

The 10-year old boy who was also killed was the woman's son from a previous relationship. The other victims were the woman's parents, her sister, and, according to state news agency Hina, her sister's partner. Local media described the killings as an act of jealousy.

The weapon used by the killer was obtained illegally, the police chief added.

“The motive remains unclear. A few minutes ago we completed an investigation on the scene of the gunman’s suicide, but the criminal investigation is still ongoing and we will see where it leads us,” Rasic said.

This story is developing and will be updated.