Two people were found dead on Tuesday at an Arkansas home where a man was barricaded inside and firing shots at police officers, a report said.

The two victims were discovered lying on the front lawn of the home in Helena, Ark., while the shooting suspect was holed up inside with a hostage, according to WREG-TV.

A number of shots were fired at the responding officers, the report said.

The SWAT team has descended on the rural home, and Arkansas State Police were assisting the situation.

The identities of the deceased were not immediately available.

It was not clear Tuesday night what had sparked the violence.