The four Houston-area children who were found dead inside a home in Centerville were identified as students who attended the Tomball Independent School District, the district revealed. Their 66-year-old grandfather was also among those slain.
According to Crime Stoppers of Houston, the victims were identified as Mark Collins, 66; Waylon Collins, 18; Carson Collins, 16; Hudson Collins, 11; and Bryson Collins, 11.
“What has happened to the Collins family is just unspeakable,” family friend David Crain said. “Those kids were bright shining stars. We coached them through baseball, and these next few days are going to be tough on all of us.”
Tomball ISD said in a statement Friday morning that the four Collins’ children attended schools within the district.
“There are no words,” said Tomball ISD Superintendent Dr. Martha Salazar Zamora. “During this difficult time, the Tomball community is continuing to pull together following the tragic loss of four students.”
Students and community members gathered at Tomball High School’s baseball field to pay their respects with a memorial to the boys. The eldest grandson, Waylon, was said to be the pitcher for the team.
According to the district, grief counselors are available to students upon request.
Tomball Little League announced on Facebook that one of the victims was an umpire with the team.
“Please join us as we mourn the loss of four Tomball ISD students. The oldest of these children was an umpire at Tomball Little League,” the post read.
The community is already stepping in to help out. Owner of the Nook Grill, Joseph Beshears says all of proceeds from Saturday’s business will go to the family.
“I couldn’t imagine what the family is going through so it’s the only way we can think to help and in Tomball the people are so generous. We made over two times as much as we predicted we were going to make for the family,” he said.
Beshears says they will present the family with the check and cinnamon rolls Sunday morning.
Investigators said five people -- one man and four children -- were visiting their weekend home off Highway 7 in Centerville when they believe Gonzalo Lopez, the escaped inmate who was on the run for the past three weeks, killed them. Lopez had fled from the scene in their white Chevrolet Silverado.
Lopez later engaged in a shootout Thursday night near San Antonio where he was killed.
Read Tomball ISD’s letter to the district below:
“Tomball ISD Family,
It is with sadness and heavy heart that I share the devastating news of a tragedy that has affected our Tomball community.
The lives of four Tomball ISD students and their grandfather were taken from us on Thursday by the escaped Texas fugitive near Centerville.
The loss of a student, for any reason, is heartbreaking, but to lose four in such a tragic way is excruciating, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of these beloved students and grandfather.
We ask that you extend your prayers and support to these families who needs us the most at this time. We share a special bond in Tomball and we understand this will personally affect many students and families in our small community.
For any student, in light of this tragedy that may need grief counseling, Tomball ISD has arranged for that service to be available. Please contact your campus principal if you are in need of support.
Thank you in advance for your support at this time.”
The Collins’ family has created a GoFundMe page to help support unexpected experiences.
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