The families of two tenants fatally shot by their landlord last weekend in Stoney Creek, Ont., are remembering the engaged couple as “two beautiful souls.”

Hamilton police released a statement Thursday on behalf of the loved ones of 27-year-old Carissa MacDonald and 28-year-old Aaron Stone, shedding light on the type of people they were.

“Anyone who crossed paths with Aaron or Carissa knew that the special bond they shared with each other and their family and friends is something that everyone will be able to carry with them and cherish forever,” the statement reads.

“Both of them had a heart of gold, imagine when you put those two hearts together.”

Investigators allege their 57-year-old landlord, who lived in a unit above the couple, shot and killed them outside the house they shared then barricaded himself inside. The Special Investigations Unit says the landlord was later shot dead in an exchange of gunfire with officers.

Police have said Stone was an electrician and MacDonald was an educational assistant.

A spokesperson for the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board confirmed to CHCH News that the 27-year-old woman worked for their board.

Multiple parents in Dunnville, Ont., told CHCH News that MacDonald worked at St. Michael’s Catholic Elementary School and was “well-liked” and “hard-working.”

The families of the engaged couple echoed those descriptions in their statement, saying the tenants were “hardworking, honest, giving people” who would help anyone in need.

“Carissa was very dedicated to her career. She loved her job, her school family and all of ‘her kids’ as she called them,” the families wrote in the statement.

“Aaron was very well-respected in his union and he had just finished his five years of education. He passed his exams with flying colours and was planning to write his ticket.”

READ MORE: Police identify victims of Stoney Creek double homicide

They say what happened to the couple was an act of “unnecessary violence.”

Hamilton police say the scene at 322 Jones Rd. has been cleared and detectives continue to interview witnesses, neighbours and 911 callers, as well as investigating the backgrounds of those who died.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Det. Robert DiIanni at 905-546-3836.

With files from The Canadian Press.