A 15-year-old boy is in custody facing capital murder in connection with the fatal shooting of his ex-girlfriend’s mother and two children in West Texas.
Odessa Police responded to a shooting call at the 87th Street Apartments on Tuesday. When law enforcement arrived, they found three deceased victims: Jessica Rodriguez, 39, and her 9-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter.
The 15-year-old suspect was not at the scene. Police located him approximately 40 minutes later and took him into custody. The teen is reportedly the ex-boyfriend of Rodriguez’s 15-year-old daughter.
According to Odessa police, the suspect had initially intended to shoot his ex at school but changed his plans and went to her residence.
CBS News reported that on Wednesday, at a news conference, Odessa Police Chief Mike Gerke called the shooting a “tragic and cowardly act of violence.”
Gerke announced that the 15-year-old ex-girlfriend was not physically harmed, stating, “She is OK; she wasn’t injured … I’m sure after all this happened to her family, she’s not OK. But physically she was unharmed.”
Gerke did not specify whether the teenage girl was present during the shooting. He did indicate, according to CBS News, that the shooting had been intentional and specifically targeted the three victims.
The shooting and the related circumstances are still being investigated. Garke did not provide any details regarding a motive.
The 15-year-old suspect is being detained at the Ector County Youth Center.
Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Shutterstock]
