HOUSTON – The brother of Delano Burkes, a man whose body was found at the Houston Ship Channel last year after he had gone missing, has been charged with shooting two family members.
Stephen Burke appeared before a judge overnight and a judge set bond at $1,000,000.
Sources tell KPRC, Burkes shot his mother Karen Jeffley, and killed her fiancé. Karen remains in the hospital and the family is asking for prayers.
Stephen, 27, is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and murder. The shooting happened at Jeffley’s home in the 2300 block of Binley Drive near FM 1093 early Friday shortly before 1 a.m.
“The defendant was found at home with a gun next to him. It also alleged that the defendant made a written statement confessing to the shooting,” the judge said during PC court.
Back in December, Burkes’ mother, Karen Jeffley along with family members and congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee held press conferences demanding answers about what happened to Delano. Stephen was also at the press conference.
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On Friday, police said they were investigating concerns that Burkes was “acting strange” before the shooting. Now detectives are working to figure out what happened.
“We don’t know exactly how it occurred but er do believe he is the one that did the shooting and shot his mother and then shot or shot the male and the mother. Not sure who or in what order,” Lt. Wilkens said.
If bond is made, Burkes is subject to 24-hour house arrest, and cannot possess any weapons or drugs among several other conditions.
What happened:
Houston police received reports of a shooting in the 2300 block of Binley Drive near FM 1093 early Friday shortly before 1 a.m.
Police said they were investigating concerns that Burkes was “acting strange” before the shooting.
Police said they found a woman, believed to be the mother of Burkes, with multiple gunshot wounds.
A man in his 50s, who is the boyfriend of Burkes’s mother, was also found in the backyard. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The mother was rushed to an area hospital where police say she remains in critical condition.
Officers were able to take Burkes into custody after police said they forced their way inside.
Details on what led to the shooting are unknown at this time.
Burkes is expected back in court on Monday.