Community grieves childrens' deaths

Grieving relatives and friends of the children stabbed to death by their mother in northern Australia laid flowers at an impromptu shrine on Sunday.

Police have charged a 37 year old woman with the murders.

She was the mother to seven of the children, and aunt to one. The four girls and four boys ranged in age from 18 months to 15 years.

Police asked media to protect the identities of the victims.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRUNO ASNICAR SAYING:

"We have eight dead children, we're not suppose to be releasing information that's going to identity them. That's why, can I categorically state the reason why I have not at any point identified the mother or identified the children and I'd really appreciate it if everybody could continue down that vain."

The tragedy has shocked Australia, coming just days after police stormed a Sydney cafe early on Tuesday (December 16) morning to end a 16-hour hostage stand-off in which three people were kill