HOUSTON – Police said a woman is dead and a man is in critical condition after their adult son admitted to shooting them in southwest Houston Tuesday.
Officers said the shooting happened at a home located in the 11200 block of Mulholland Drive around 3:30 a.m.
Westside officers are on a shooting at 11200 Mulholland Dr. One patient was transported to an area hospital. One victim was deceased upon arrival. #hounews CC9
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) August 24, 2021
Joshua Cordell Williams, 33, was charged with murder and aggravated assault of a family member, according to police. Williams’ bond was set at $175,000-- $100,000 for the murder charge and $75,000 for aggravated assault against a family member.
Williams’ bail conditions include no contact with his dad, he can’t go within 200 feet of where the shooting happened, no drugs, alcohol, firearms, or weapons, a curfew from 12 a.m. 11:59 p.m., and he must wear electronic monitoring.
CHARGED: Booking photo of Joshua Cordell Williams, 33, arrested and charged with murder in the fatal shooting of his mother and wounding of his father in this incident.
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) August 25, 2021
More info is at https://t.co/Mx9YcqLjvo #hounews https://t.co/KwnIOD2M1o pic.twitter.com/p0iEJ2vD8W
Police said Williams shot his mom, Cathy Williams, 64, and his dad, Joseph Williams, 72. Officers said Williams’ mother was found in the living room area with a gunshot wound to her stomach and his dad, who was shot twice, was found alive in the bedroom. The man’s father was transported to the hospital in critical condition, police said. He expected to make a recovery.
According to investigators, Williams’ mother called the police saying her son was the shooter before she died from her injuries.
Police said Williams walked outside of the house as they arrived at the scene and was arrested without incident. Officers said they found a shotgun and rifle at the home. According to investigators, they are not sure which one was used in the shooting.
Officers said Williams told them he did not agree with the religion his mother and father were following. Investigators said Williams admitted his parents did not coerce him or make him follow the religion.
Officers said they initially couldn’t get Williams to tell them why he shot his parents.
“According to what my partner is saying, he is admitting to the shooting, saying he did it, but the why, he hasn’t been able to get out of him,” said Detective Kyle Heaverlo with HPD Homicide. “Unfortunately, people believe it’s their last resort sometimes when they don’t feel like they have another way out and it’s a sad, sad state of affairs for this family.”
Investigators said Williams’ younger brother also lives at the home but was working overnight at the time of the shooting.
KPRC 2 Reporter Cathy Hernandez contributed to this report.