In a shocking incident, a restless 15‑year‑old Texas teen has been charged for killing his ex‑girlfriend’s mother and the girlfriend’s two younger siblings in what police called a “targeted cowardly act of violence.”
Jennifer Rodriguez, 39, was found dead inside her upscale Odessa apartment, with her 13‑year‑old daughter and 9‑year‑old son lying beside her after the teenager carried out the attack Tuesday evening, according to Odessa Police.
When officers responded to reports of a shooting at the luxury Eighty‑Seventh Apartments—located about 350 miles west of Dallas—they discovered the tragic scene around 5:45 p.m.
The suspect, whose identity was withheld because he is a minor, had previously dated Rodriguez’s 15‑year‑old daughter. He had originally intended to shoot her outside of school but changed his mind and instead went to the home, police said.
The 15‑year‑old girl was not physically harmed in the massacre. Police have not confirmed whether she was at the apartment during the shooting.
Chief Mike Gerke told reporters, “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.”
The boy fled the scene but was located and detained roughly 40 minutes later, Gerke explained.
He now faces charges of capital murder of multiple persons, a capital felony, and is being held at the Ector County Youth Center.
The motive for the killings has not yet been released. Investigators recovered a handgun believed to have been used in the attack and are awaiting conclusive evidence that it was the weapon involved.
Gerke stressed that the incident had no gang connections.
The grieving father of the victims posted a message on GoFundMe stating, “Today, a young boy took the lives of my 9‑year‑old son, my 13‑year‑old daughter, and their mother, who was my ex‑wife,” and added, “This is something that no one can really prepare themselves for because we don’t expect this kind of tragedy to happen to any of us. I am not a person who ever asks for help from anyone, but at this time, I don’t have a choice.” He went on to say, “My heart is extremely broken and I keep finding little pieces at a time wondering which piece goes where!! It will never be complete anymore but as long as I keep picking up these small pieces maybe one day it’ll form some type of shape again!!”
While the department knows who purchased the gun, it did not disclose how the teen acquired it.
“Evil does visit us from time to time,” Gerke remarked.
Although Texas retains a death penalty, it is not available for those convicted of capital murder who were under 18 at the time of the crime.
He concluded by offering condolences: “Our hearts and prayers go out to the families and friends, anyone connected with the tragedy last night. It was such a tragic and cowardly act of violence.”
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