Marcus Donté Reed from Louisiana is accused of gunning down 20-year-old Jerimiah, 18-year-old Jarquis and 13-year-old Jean Adams in their car as they arrived at his girlfriend's house. Their bodies were found in the driveway.

The 33-year-old, who's charged with three counts of first-degree murder and faces the death penalty if he's convicted, allegedly thought the trio had broken into his girlfriend's residence the previous day and stolen his Xbox.

No crime was reported, however, and no evidence has been forthcoming to suggest the brothers were involved.

According to police, Reed hid in nearby woods and then ambushed the brothers with the assault rifle and a handgun, riddling their car with more than 30 bullets.

Local sheriff Steve Prator said the scene was 'like something you would see on a very violent television show'.

'No number of patrol cars could have stopped this,' he added during a news conference.

'The only thing that could have stopped this is if [Reed] wasn't born.'