Texas Mom Held Family Meeting Before Fatally Shooting 2 Daughters: Police

Prior to the shooting, 42-year-old Christy Sheats convened a family meeting in the living room that was attended by her husband and her two daughters

Authorities say a Texas mother who fatally shot her daughters before being killed by police had called them and her husband to a family meeting.

The Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls said a family argument led to the shooting Friday evening at a home just outside the Houston suburb of Fulshear. Prior to the shooting, 42-year-old Christy Sheats convened a family meeting in the living room that was attended by her husband, Jason Sheats, and her daughters, Taylor Sheats, 22, and Madison Sheats, 17, according to the sheriff's office.

"During that meeting, Christy Sheats held up a gun and shot both girls," the sheriff's office said.

Jason Sheats and the daughters ran outside, where Madison Sheats collapsed and died. Jason Sheats ran to the end of a cul-de-sac.

Taylor Sheats was shot again by her mother on the street. A witness told investigators Christy Sheats then went back in the home, reloaded her gun and shot Taylor once more.

When officers arrived, they saw Christy Sheats shooting one of her daughters in the street, the sheriff's office said.

An officer fatally shot Christy Sheats after she refused to obey commands to drop her handgun. Taylor Sheats was taken to a Houston hospital, where she died.

A Facebook profile consistent with Sheats' biographical details included a pro-gun post, alongside posts about how much she loved members of her family.

The sheriff's office says it has responded to 14 calls at the house since January 2012. Some of the calls were over alarms, but the sheriff's office wouldn't describe the reasons for the other calls.

Sheriff's office spokeswoman Caitilin Espinosa had told People magazine that prior calls had involved a "mental crisis" related to Christy Sheats.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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