Tenant arrested for killing 3 family members in NW Houston, lying about home invasion

HOUSTON – Investigators have shared new, shocking details about an alleged home invasion that turned into a deadly shooting in northwest Houston on Saturday afternoon.

Initially, police said a tenant, identified later as Bryan J. Fernandez Hernandez, 27, told officers he shot and killed three people during a home invasion at an apartment on Hammerly Blvd in the Gessner Grove neighborhood a little before 3:15 p.m.

BACKGROUND: 3 people killed by NW Houston tenant during attempted apartment unit invasion

Further investigation, however, revealed it was not a home invasion at all. In fact, Fernandez Hernandez shot his three family members in the apartment and then called 911. Police said it was discovered one of the family members was living in the apartment and two others were visiting but had been staying there for several days.

Their identities have not been released at this time but have been described as two women, ages 65 and 43, respectively, and a 38-year-old man. Police did not release a motive behind the deadly shootings.

Audio recordings from police officers and dispatchers offer a glimpse into their investigation that led them to find out that Hernandez murdered his family members.

911 Dispatcher: “Caller said the three suspects were breaking into his home and then caller says shot all three.”

Officer: “Consumers is going to be a Bryan Fernandez. He does have schizophrenia.”

Officer: “He did live with his mom and had his sister and her husband visiting from Canada.”

It’s those three people that Hernandez is now accused of killing Saturday afternoon around 3 p.m.

The Houston Police Department did say they’ve been called to this apartment several times in the past for calls regarding mental health.

“Everything seemed normal to me,” said the next door neighbor, who wanted to remain anonymous. “I would have never guessed it. I mean, I never saw him for more than five minutes. Either I was going up the stairs, he was probably coming down the stairs and we would just cross paths.”

Those living nearby tell KPRC 2′s Gage Goulding that they never heard any gunshots, only finding out what happened by the swarm of police officers.

“Never heard a peep until I looked out and saw all the cops,” said Anita Broz.

“No yelling, no gunshots,” added Sheri Blazer. “The only thing I heard was kids playing in the pool.”

Hernandez was arrested and booked into the Harris County Jail on charges of Capital Murder.