Texas Mother Charged With 2 Capital Murders After Sons, 15 and 21, Are Shot

Q: What drove a Texas mother to allegedly execute her two sons in their bedrooms before turning the knife on herself?

No clear motive has been established publicly. Based on what authorities have released, investigators allege Colleen Nichole Lemmon shot her two sons in separate bedrooms in their Waxahachie home before apparently attempting to harm herself, but police have not identified what drove the attack. The known facts are stark: deputies responding to a 911 call around 4:13 a.m. found 21-year-old Christopher Scott Pitre dead at the scene and his 15-year-old brother, identified by family as Brian Pitre, critically wounded; he later died at a hospital. Court records cited by local media say both boys were shot in the head. Lemmon, 42, was found with blood on her, apparent self-inflicted wrist cuts, and a handgun nearby. According to the arrest affidavit, she told deputies, “I shot both my kids.” What can reasonably be inferred is limited. The alleged wrist injuries may suggest a suicide attempt after the shootings, but that does not explain motive. There has been no public indication yet of a dispute, manifesto, mental-health crisis, custody conflict, financial pressure, or other precipitating factor. Those are the kinds of issues detectives typically examine through interviews, medical history, digital records, and forensic evidence. For now, the answer is that the motive remains unknown. Lemmon has been charged with two counts of capital murder, a charge that in Texas can apply because the case involves multiple victims and one victim was under 15. The investigation is ongoing.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 4

Ellis County authorities charged Colleen Nichole Lemmon, 42, with two counts of capital murder after her two sons were found shot at a Waxahachie home.
Deputies responding to an "unknown emergency" call just before 4:15 a.m. Thursday found 21-year-old Christopher Scott Pitre dead at the scene and a 15-year-old boy critically wounded; he later died at a hospital.
An arrest affidavit said Lemmon was covered in blood, had apparent self-inflicted wrist lacerations and a handgun nearby, and allegedly told officers, "I shot both my kids."
Lemmon was taken to a hospital for treatment, then booked and is being held on $2.5 million bond as the Ellis County Sheriff's Office continues investigating.
The boys' father said he wants justice, while the sheriff and neighbors offered condolences after the killings in the North Texas community.