Texas – In a shocking act of violence in Texas, a 15-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with capital murder of multiple persons after entering his ex-girlfriend’s home and gunning down her 39-year-old mother, identified as Jessica R.; 9-year-old brother, identified as Jacob; and 13-year-old sister, identified as Kiley. The attack, described by authorities as intentional and calculated, unfolded just days before the holidays, leaving a community stunned and grieving.
The shooting occurred on December 9, 2025, at the family’s home. Officers from the police department were dispatched around 5:45 p.m. to reports of gunfire. Inside the apartment, they discovered three victims fatally shot. All were pronounced dead at the scene. According to investigators, the teen suspect had previously dated Jessica’s 15-year-old daughter. Originally, he had planned to confront her outside of school, but changed course and instead made his way to the family’s apartment. There, he opened fire on the mother and two younger children before fleeing on foot.
Roughly 40 minutes after the attack, officers apprehended the teen. A handgun, believed to be the weapon used in the killings, was recovered by police. The suspect, whose identity is being withheld due to his age, was taken to the county’s juvenile correctional and detention facility. He currently faces a charge of capital murder of multiple persons, a capital felony, and remains in custody. Whether the suspect will be tried as an adult has not yet been determined. Prosecutors are reviewing the case, and if they choose to pursue adult charges, the teen’s name may be released publicly.
Authorities stated that there are no gang connections involved and no indications that the school was aware of the teen’s intent. Police Chief M. Gerke confirmed that the suspect had one prior police contact, but nothing in his history pointed to the kind of deadly violence he unleashed on the family. “It was such a tragic and cowardly act of violence,” Gerke said at a press conference. “It’s the kind of thing that really marks a community. Particularly in this holiday season, it’s a hurtful, horrible thing.” The intended target of the attack, the suspect’s former girlfriend, was not home during the shooting and was physically unharmed. But authorities say the psychological toll of losing her mother and two siblings is profound. “Physically she was unharmed,” Gerke noted. “But saying she’s ‘OK’ would be a misnomer after what happened to her family.”
Neighbors described Jessica’s children, Jacob and Kiley, as kind and full of life. Their deaths, along with their mother’s, have devastated not only their family but the larger Odessa community. The children’s father, created a GoFundMe campaign, saying his heart is “extremely broken.” Jessica’s partner also created a GoFundMe page saying, “They meant everything to me, and their loss has left an unimaginable void. We lost them far too soon, and with them, we lost a vital part of our family. Their love and joy will always be cherished in our hearts.”
Investigators are continuing to explore how the teenager obtained the firearm used in the shooting. Police emphasized that anyone found to have supplied the weapon—or who had prior knowledge of the plan—could face criminal charges. As the community mourns the loss of three innocent lives, the case remains active. Prosecutors are expected to announce within weeks whether the 15-year-old suspect will face trial as an adult. For now, one family’s future has been erased in an act that continues to send shockwaves through the city.
