Texas deputies charged a Waxahachie mother with two counts of capital murder after her sons were shot inside their home.
Story Highlights
- Ellis County Sheriff’s Office named Colleen Nichole Lemmon, 42, as the suspect.
- Deputies reported finding her injured, covered in blood, with a gun nearby.
- A reported affidavit quotes her saying, “I shot both my kids”.
- One son died at the scene; the other died later at the hospital.
Deputies Identify Suspect And File Capital Murder Charges
Ellis County Sheriff’s Office investigators identified Colleen Nichole Lemmon, 42, as the suspected shooter after gathering evidence at the scene in Waxahachie on October 1, 2026. The sheriff’s office announced two counts of capital murder tied to the deaths of her sons, ages 21 and 15, and said detectives developed probable cause from corroborating evidence recovered during the investigation. Officials said the case falls under Texas capital murder because the victims were her children and one was a minor, which elevates penalties under Texas law.
Reports say deputies found Lemmon inside the residence wounded and covered in blood, with a firearm next to her. She received medical treatment and was then booked into the Wayne McCollum Detention Center, according to local outlets citing the sheriff’s office. A reported arrest affidavit states that, when asked about the blood, Lemmon said, “I shot both my kids,” an admission that investigators recorded in their case file. Authorities have not publicly stated a motive.
Timeline Of The Fatal Shootings And Victim Outcomes
Deputies responded to the Waxahachie home Thursday morning after a report of gunfire. Responders found two male victims with gunshot wounds. Reports identify the older victim as 21-year-old Christopher Scott Pitre, who died at the scene, while the 15-year-old was transported to a hospital where he later died from his injuries. Media accounts differ on some spellings and an age reference in one station’s segment, but the core facts of two deceased sons are consistent across reports.
The sheriff’s office said detectives processed the scene and collected evidence to support the capital murder charges. That includes the firearm located near Lemmon and statements attributed to her in the reported affidavit. Officials indicated the investigation remains active. Prosecutors will decide on next steps after reviewing full reports, including potential forensic testing, autopsy results, and any additional witness interviews developed by investigators as the case moves forward in Ellis County court.
Legal Stakes In Texas Capital Murder Cases Involving Children
Texas law treats the killing of a child as an aggravating factor that can raise a murder charge to capital murder. Courts have explained that the victim’s status and age can trigger the capital element, which exposes a defendant to life without parole or, in some cases, the death penalty if prosecutors pursue it and a jury agrees. That legal structure is why cases involving minors often move quickly into capital territory, even while investigators continue to assemble forensic and medical evidence for prosecutors.
Waxahachie, Texas: A mother is charged with capital murder after authorities say she shot and killed both of her sons early Thursday.
Deputies were called around 4:13 a.m. on Oct. 1 to a home in the 900 block of Big Sky Drive on a 911 report of an “unknown emergency.” Inside… pic.twitter.com/nGaSoYgaoI
— Girl patriot 🙏 🇺🇸 🦅 (@Girlpatriot1974) October 3, 2026
Families and neighbors now face the awful aftermath, as two young lives are gone and a community asks how this happened. For many readers, this case hits a nerve: families rely on strong homes, not violence inside them. Law and order must be firm and fair. Police said they built probable cause through evidence gathered at the scene, and the courts will weigh that evidence step by step. Until then, the victims deserve dignity, and the process must be swift and thorough.
Sources:
redstate.com, cbsnews.com, fox19.com, fox4news.com, kwtx.com
