Mother Charged with Capital Murder After Her Two Sons are Found Shot

A Texas mother has been charged with capital murder after authorities say her two sons, ages 21 and 15, were fatally shot inside their family home.

Colleen Nichole Lemmon, 42, is accused of killing both boys early Thursday morning in Waxahachie, about 30 miles south of Dallas.

Deputies with the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office were sent to a home in the 900 block of Big Sky Drive at approximately 4:13 a.m. on Oct. 1 after receiving a 911 call reporting an unknown emergency.

When deputies entered the residence, they found two male victims suffering from gunshot wounds.

The older victim was identified as 21-year-old Christopher Scott Pitre of Waxahachie.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

His 15-year-old brother was still alive when emergency crews arrived and was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition.

The teenager later died from his injuries.

Authorities have not publicly released the younger victim’s name.

Lemmon, the mother of both victims, was also found inside the home with injuries.

The sheriff’s office said her injuries were not considered life-threatening.

Investigators began processing the scene and gathering evidence after the shootings.

Authorities said the evidence they recovered gave them probable cause to believe Lemmon was responsible for shooting both of her sons.

Officials have not revealed what specific evidence led investigators to that conclusion.

Lemmon was taken into custody and transported to a hospital for treatment.

After she was released, she was booked into the Wayne McCollum Detention Center on two counts of capital murder.

Her bond was later set at $2.5 million, and she remained in custody.

No motive has been announced.

Authorities also have not explained who placed the 911 call, what happened in the moments leading up to the shootings or how Lemmon was injured.

The boys’ father has been notified of both deaths, according to the sheriff’s office.

Ellis County Sheriff Brad Norman offered condolences to the victims’ family following the killings.

“My deepest sympathies go out to the victims’ father, family members, and loved ones involved in this tragic incident,” Norman said.

“They will remain in our prayers during this difficult time.”

The investigation remains active as detectives continue trying to determine exactly what happened inside the home before deputies arrived.

Lemmon has been charged but has not been convicted. The case will now move through the Texas court system as prosecutors pursue two capital murder counts against her.