HOUSTON – Four people are dead after two suspects murdered them before turning a gun on themselves and taking their own life.
Additionally, two other children, one in each instance, were also hurt during the two incidents.
On Thursday a mother was shot and killed by a man she was dating in Spring, according to investigators.
The man then shot himself.
Police say a young girl was also injured and flown to the hospital as a result of the incident.
And on Friday another man shot and killed a woman in Independence Heights. Investigators there say the man then tried to escape with the two-year-old child they shared together.
When police caught the man with the child on a bicycle, he pulled out a gun and took his own life.
These are extreme examples of domestic violence.
However, many cases live in the shadows of daily life throughout Houston.
That’s why KPRC 2′s Gage Goulding is having an open conversation with Sylvia Phillips, a legal advocate at Fresh Spirit Wellness.
Gage Goulding: “Two murder-suicides in the last 48 hours, right here in our city. What does that tell you about what’s going on in our community?”
Sylvia Phillips: “It tells me that people are not. The information is not getting out.”
Gage Goulding: “Domestic violence doesn’t discriminate. It can impact anybody of any walk of life.”
Sylvia Phillips: “Absolutely. It can impact doctors, lawyers, teachers, teenagers.”
Gage Goulding: “It everybody who can they call? What can they do? I know they might feel alone, but what can they do? They’re not alone.”
Sylvia Phillips: “They’re not alone. There’s several organizations they can call one in particular this Fresh Spirit. They can always call us, and we will help them come up with a safety plan of getting out. They can even text the domestic violence hotline, which is 88788. 911 operators are trained to take calls from individuals in a domestic violence situation. All they have to do is dial 911 and tell the operator they would like to order a pizza. The operator immediately starts asking questions like how many pizzas do you want? One or two, that lets them know how many people are in the house. The abuser will usually stop and allow you to order food.”
Gage Goulding: “What can they look out for? Are there some telltale signs that, hey, there might be an issue happening here?”
Sylvia Phillips: “Yes, it’s sometimes it’s very subtle. It is controlling what you wear, controlling who you talk to, controlling what you eat.”
Gage Goulding: “Even not all domestic violence is about a relationship, though, right?”
Sylvia Phillips: “Correct. It is domestic violence. Is anyone living in the same house? It can be a domestic violence against, partners. It can be domestic violence against a mother, against a child, an adult child.
Gage Goulding: “What would you say to anybody that is looking for help, that needs that help?”
Sylvia Phillips: ”Make the call. Make the call. Call fresh spirit. We will guide you through getting out. That first step is is hard to do.”
If you are in immediate danger, safely call 911.
For more information, resources and local reporting on domestic violence in Houston - visit our Breaking Free webpage.
Help is also available immediately if you need it through the following numbers:
- Houston Area Women’s Center: (713) 528-2121
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799−7233
- If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
