Texas Mother Charged With Capital Murder in Sons’ Fatal Shootings

WAXAHACHIE, Texas — A 42-year-old mother is facing two counts of capital murder after authorities say she fatally shot her sons, ages 21 and 15, inside their home early Thursday morning before apparently attempting to harm herself.

Colleen Nichole Lemmon was arrested by Ellis County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Oct. 1 following a 911 call reporting an unknown emergency at a residence in the 900 block of Big Sky Drive. Deputies arrived around 4:15 a.m. and discovered the two victims suffering from gunshot wounds.

Christopher Scott Pitre, 21, was pronounced dead at the scene. His 15-year-old brother, identified by family as Brian Pitre, was rushed to a hospital in critical condition and later died from his injuries. The younger son had recently celebrated his 15th birthday, according to their father, Scott Pitre, who has called for justice.

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Investigators found Lemmon at the residence with non-life-threatening injuries. An arrest affidavit states she was covered in blood, with a handgun nearby and what appeared to be self-inflicted cuts on her wrists. She allegedly told responding deputies, “I shot both my kids,” and directed them to the bedrooms where the victims were found with gunshot wounds to the head.

Deputies determined through corroborating evidence that Lemmon was responsible for the shootings. She was taken to a local hospital for treatment of her injuries before being booked into the Wayne McCollum Detention Center on two counts of capital murder. Her bond has been reported as $2.5 million in some accounts, while others noted it was pending arraignment.

The incident has left neighbors in the quiet Waxahachie community shaken. One resident described the tragedy as heartbreaking, saying there is “no understanding” for what occurred.

Lemmon remains in custody as the case proceeds. Authorities have notified the victims’ father of both deaths. No further details on a possible motive have been publicly released by the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office.