Houston man accused of shooting girlfriend to death, sending photo to family

Houston crime: Man accused of killing girlfriend, sending photo to family member

A man reportedly shot his girlfriend Tuesday night and sent a picture of her to a family member. FOX 26's Jillian Hartmann explains the allegations.

HOUSTON - A Houston man is accused of shooting and killing his girlfriend and sending a photo to a family member on Tuesday night. Police say he is also suspected of shooting another person on the same night.

2 shot in southeast Houston

Timeline:

Police first responded to a report of a shooting near McHenry Street and Fairway Drive in southeast Houston around 9 p.m.

A man had been shot in the parking lot of an apartment complex and was taken to the hospital. Authorities say his injuries were not life-threatening.

Around 10 p.m., authorities received another call about the same location. According to police, the caller reported that her family member had sent her a picture of a woman who appeared to have been shot.

Police say HPD SWAT entered the woman's apartment for a welfare check and found her dead with several apparent gunshot wounds.

Police had also begun to search for the alleged shooter, who police said was in a relationship with the deceased woman. Police say they had sporadic communication from him throughout the night and eventually located him near the Willowbrook area in northwest Houston around 3 a.m. He was taken into custody.

What led up to the shootings?

What we know:

Houston police say the shootings appear to be separate incidents but involved the same man. The same physical and vehicle descriptions were given in both incidents, authorities say.

Police believe the shootings may have stemmed from some mental health conditions.

Police have not released the identities of everyone involved.

What we don't know:

Police said they were still working to determine which shooting happened first.

No one involved has been identified at this time.

Victim's family reaction

What they're saying:

The victim’s sister said the couple were living together and had been dating for at least six years. She described their relationship as volatile. She said her sister was a good person and didn’t deserve what happened to her.

"She loved her kids, loved her Dad more than anything. She was very free spirited, happy, she would do what she can for those that need it," said the victim’s sister, Shatina Thompson.