Texas deputies charged a Waxahachie mother with two counts of capital murder after her sons were found shot, one dead at home and the other dying at the hospital.
Story Highlights
- Ellis County deputies arrested Colleen Nichole Lemmon, 42, on two capital murder counts
- Investigators said scene evidence identified Lemmon as the suspected shooter
- An arrest affidavit reportedly quotes Lemmon saying, “I shot both my kids”
- One son, 21, died at the scene; the 15-year-old died later at a hospital
Deputies Identify Suspect And File Capital Murder Charges
Ellis County Sheriff’s Office officials said they charged Colleen Nichole Lemmon, 42, with two counts of capital murder after the shooting deaths of her sons in Waxahachie. Reporters with CBS News Texas and the Dallas Morning News cited the sheriff’s public statements identifying Lemmon as the suspect and outlining the charges. The case moved quickly because Texas law treats killings of children as capital offenses in many situations. Deputies stated they built probable cause from evidence at the scene.
Investigators told CBS News Texas that evidence gathered in the home led them to identify Lemmon as the suspected shooter. According to a FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth report citing an arrest affidavit, deputies found Lemmon at the residence, injured and covered in blood, with a gun next to her. The same report says she made an incriminating statement at the scene when asked about the blood. Deputies then secured medical care for her and later booked her into the county jail.
What Officials Say Happened Inside The Waxahachie Home
Deputies reported finding two male victims with gunshot wounds. Reporters stated the older son, described as 21, died at the scene, while the 15-year-old was rushed for treatment and later died at a hospital. The sheriff’s office said detectives developed probable cause using corroborating evidence collected during their investigation. While the media have cited an arrest affidavit, full primary documents, like the complete affidavit and autopsy reports, have not been publicly released yet.
FOX 4, citing the arrest affidavit, reported a direct quote: “I shot both my kids.” That single sentence, if presented in court consistent with the affidavit, would be a powerful piece of evidence for prosecutors. Still, formal adjudication has not occurred, and Lemmon is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. The Ellis County Sheriff’s Office and county jail records reflect that she received medical care before being booked into the Wayne McCollum Detention Center, where she awaits the next steps in court.
Texas Capital Framework And Why This Case Advanced So Fast
Texas law elevates certain homicides involving children to capital murder, allowing prosecutors to seek the toughest penalties. Courts in Texas have long held that the victim’s status, such as being a young child, can trigger the capital charge, which is why child-victim cases often proceed under that label. That structure explains the rapid announcement of two capital counts here, even as investigators continue building the broader forensic record for court.
JUST IN: Texas mother is accused of shooting and killing her two sons.
42-year-old Colleen Nichole Lemmon is accused of shooting and killing both of her sons in their Waxahachie home.
Police say they arrived at the home to find two male victims, one 15 years old and the… pic.twitter.com/zP4e6XFnDa
— The Liberty Report🇺🇸 (@TheLibertReport) October 3, 2026
Familicide cases, where a parent kills family members, are uncommon and often draw fast police action and public shock. Research reviews say most family killers are men, making an accused mother unusual but not unheard of. That context helps explain the intensity of the response from local authorities and the community. Officials stressed the investigation is active. They have not named a motive, and they have not released detailed forensic results like ballistics or autopsy findings yet.
Why This Matters To Families And Law And Order Voters
Local families count on swift action when evil strikes at home. Deputies say they moved fast, secured the scene, and acted on clear evidence to protect the community. Texas law gives prosecutors strong tools when children are killed, which reflects the state’s firm stand for innocent life and public safety. As the case proceeds, courts will test the evidence. For now, the facts police shared point to a heartbreaking crime that demands justice without delay.
Sources:
redstate.com, cbsnews.com, fox19.com, fox4news.com, kwtx.com
