Odessa, Texas — A triple homicide that unfolded inside a quiet suburban home has left a community reeling, after police say a 15-year-old boy abandoned a plan to shoot his ex-girlfriend at school and instead murdered her mother and two younger siblings.
A Planned School Shooting Turns Into a Deadly Home Invasion
Authorities say the teen suspect had originally intended to confront and shoot his 15-year-old ex-girlfriend outside of school. But, according to Odessa Police Chief Mike Gerke, the boy allegedly “changed his mind” and decided to go directly to her family’s residence on Hunter Miller Way.
What followed, investigators said, was a brutal attack that claimed the lives of Jessica Rodriguez, 39, her 9-year-old son, and her 13-year-old daughter. The ex-girlfriend was not injured, though officials have not said whether she was inside the home during the incident.
Chief Gerke did not mince words, calling the murders “a tragic and cowardly act of violence” during a Wednesday news briefing. He emphasized the particularly devastating timing, noting that the community was preparing for the holiday season when the killings occurred.
Moments Before the Attack
According to investigators, the teen entered the Rodriguez home armed with a handgun. Police say he quickly opened fire, fatally shooting Jessica, then turning the weapon on the younger siblings. All three victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police were called at approximately 6 p.m., and the suspect was taken into custody about 40 minutes later after fleeing the area on foot. Authorities have not disclosed where or how he was located, but emphasized the quick response from multiple units.
Investigators are still confronting one of the case’s most pressing unanswered questions: how a 15-year-old obtained the firearm used in the killings.
The teenage suspect gave a statement to police, but Gerke expressed doubt about its accuracy, stating officers did not “necessarily believe everything he tells us” about where the gun came from.
A Family and Community in Mourning
The victims’ father, Roy Martinez, launched a fundraiser expressing devastation over the loss of his children and former partner. In his statement, he wrote that his heart is “extremely broken” and that life “will never be complete anymore.”
Neighbors and local officials say the tragedy has shaken Odessa—a city already familiar with violence following past mass shootings. But this incident, involving young children inside their own home, has hit a different emotional chord.
“This is the kind of event that marks a community,” Chief Gerke said. “Three lives taken senselessly. Three futures stolen.”
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Authorities have charged the 15-year-old with three counts of capital murder of multiple persons, one of the most serious charges available under Texas law. Because he is a juvenile, the procedural path ahead is more complex. Juveniles in Texas cannot receive the death penalty, but prosecutors may still seek a severe sentence depending on how the case proceeds through the courts.
The teen is currently being held at the Ector County Youth Center, where he awaits further judicial review. Police have not released his name, citing juvenile privacy laws.
Investigators are continuing to examine digital evidence, communications between the suspect and the ex-girlfriend, and the events that allegedly led him to plan a targeted attack. So far, authorities have not identified a clear motive beyond the apparent breakup and emotional turmoil surrounding it.
Ongoing Investigation Into Warning Signs
As the investigation continues, questions are emerging about potential warning signs—whether the teen had made threats, whether adults were aware of escalating behavior, and whether intervention might have been possible before tragedy struck.
Chief Gerke said the department is reviewing all available information but noted that, at this stage, “there is no indication the family had any reason to anticipate such an attack.”
For now, the small Odessa neighborhood where the murders occurred is left with grief, unanswered questions, and a shattered sense of safety.
CTA
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