HOUSTON – Tragedy unfolded Sunday morning at a Baytown home when a 17-year-old girl was gunned down after an argument with her 21-year-old boyfriend.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office says the shooting happened in the 7800 block of Richards Street.
HCSO deputies said Tomas Bautista shot and killed his girlfriend Brittany Dubon. Bautista’s family members told detectives they heard the couple arguing before hearing a “pop.”
They found Dubon unresponsive on the floor with a gunshot wound. Bautista took off, but eventually came back to the scene detectives took him into custody.
He is currently in the Harris County Jail on a $250,000 bond.
That same day, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez posted on social media saying:
“Another case of intimate partner violence. This tragic, senseless act of violence at one time ended a life and tore a family apart. Many teens are experiencing dating violence and it can lead to deadly consequences. Domestic violence at any age can turn deadly and we all need to do a better job of equipping kids to recognize early signs of abusive behavior,” Gonzalez said.
KPRC 2 Reporter Corley Peel spoke with Amy Smith, the senior director of operations and communications with the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council. She shared signs teens should look out for when dating.
“The signs are the same no matter what age you are. It’s the red flags that you kind of need to look for is re they controlling? Do they want to know where your every move is? Do they monitor your text messages? Do they want to know where you are? Constantly. Are they sort of like cyberstalking you? Following your social media, Commenting on your social media accounts on Instagram,” Smith said.
“I would encourage that the parent to be the safe person that regardless of what the child is doing, is allowing them to have a safe place to land,” Smith said.
In an effort to help victims, KPRC 2 News created a series, “Breaking Free,” reporting on domestic-related violence and its horrific consequences. The series showcased various stories of survival, heartache, and some even ending in death, but each shared a list of free domestic violence resources on how to get help.
Do you know someone in need of help? KPRC 2 released the following features in “Breaking Free.”
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.