Young boy shot inside his home crawled into big brother's bed and died beside him

The eight and nine-year-old cousins who were killed were described as ‘happy boys’ and were inseparable

There were six young cousins in the house when the gunfire erupted from outside (Aishah F. Coppage-Ross / Facebook)

As a barrage of 20 bullets was sprayed into a house in Kansas, Missouri, nine-year-old Jayden Ugwuh jumped out of bed and rushed out of the room.

Realising his eight-year-old cousin, Montell Ross, was not behind him, he went back into the bedroom.

Both boys, described as "inseparable" by their grandmother, were then shot.

Jayden, seriously injured, went into his big brother’s room, who was asleep. He crawled into bed beside him and died.

Kansas police, who are investigating the incident, believe the people responsible for the murders were inside the home at some point on Saturday morning.

Jayden’s father, Jason Ugwuh, told Fox News: "[Jayden] didn't even cry, just got hit and ran and laid up under his big brother, you know. Like he knew exactly where to go for comfort, you know what I'm saying."

"I do not get it," he added. "I swear. We have to protect the future. He's the future."

He said his son loved superheroes, rapping and drawing.

Kansas City Police have requested witnesses call them with any information. No arrests have yet been made.

The department wrote on Twitter: "Cousins Jayden Ugwuh and Montell Ross started their new school year last week. Now they’re dead. Innocent victims of senseless gun violence."

There were six young cousins in the house at the time, where they lived with their mothers. A 16-year-old girl was also hit during the shooting but her injuries were not life-threatening and she was reported as back at school.

Both Jayden and Montell were declared dead in hospital.

12-year-old Jayson Jr, who saw his younger brother die beside him in bed, did not want to talk to the media.

Their grandmother, Ira Ross, told Kansas City newspaper: "Tell them to please to turn themselves in, because they have destroyed us."

Ms Ross said her grandson, Montell, was a "mama’s boy" who sometimes sucked his thumb, liked to watch cartoons and play video games.

The neighbours said they also heard gunfire on Saturday morning and ducked for cover, and were now "living in fear".

The police added on social media: "Many want to be outraged these days. Be outraged about this."