Young mother and her friend murdered at Irving apartment complex

IRVING, Texas - A 20-year-old man has been charged with killing the mother of his children and her male friend in Irving.

Irving police say the double shooting happened around 5:25 p.m. Wednesday at the Villa Valencia Apartments on Rolston Road.

The body of a man and woman were found at the complex with gunshot wounds. The suspect, Christopher Rubio, 20, was found in a nearby apartment and taken into custody without incident, police said.

The male victim has been identified as James Michael Tew, 20.

Family members identified the woman as Elizabeth Adams, 19. They said Rubio was the father of her two children, ages 1 and 2.

"My daughter was a loving mom and a loving daughter," said Connie Adams. "Her kids are her world and now they're going to have no mom."

"She was the sunshine of our lives," said Carolyn Crawford, the victim's grandmother. "If we were down or anything, she always made us laugh."

Family members said Adams and Rubio had been living together even though they had broken up. They continued to live together along with Rubio’s new girlfriend.

Adams’ family was trying to move her out of the apartment the estranged couple shared while Rubio was sleeping.

Former classmate of the estranged couple, Erik Garcia, says Adams and Rubio were high school sweethearts.

A few weeks ago, Rubio revealed to Garcia they were having relationship problems.

“He just didn't do much, just kind of laid around and played video games all day,” said Garcia. “And Liz was always working. Just working her tail off trying to make ends meet.”

The tension boiled over Wednesday night, which ended in the deadly shooting.

“He was always happy. Always the most positive person in the room,” said Kailyn Jackson as she described James Tew.

She believes her friend may have just gotten caught in the crossfire.

“He was probably just there to help her out and be a good friend,” said Jackson. “He was always a good friend.”

Adams’ children were not home at the time of the shooting. Family members say they were with relatives.

Rubio is charged with capital murder. A criminal records check shows no history of violence.