A mother faces charges after allegedly shooting her four children, killing two.
BRAZORIA COUNTY, Texas — The Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office says a mother is in custody after two of her four children were shot and killed early Saturday. Two other children were shot, but survived.
During a news conference Sunday, Sheriff Bo Stallman said Oninda Romelus, 31, called 911 around 4:48 a.m. Thursday, asking deputies to come to a gas station on SH 288B near FM 521 in the Angleton area. When they arrived, they found the children who had been shot and immediately began lifesaving measures until medical help arrived.
“Brazoria County deputies responded to an unthinkable, unimaginable tragedy,” Sheriff Stallman said.
He said Romelus, the mother of all four children, is accused of shooting them inside a vehicle. Investigators don’t believe the gas station is where the shooting took place.
A 13-year-old boy and a 3-year-old girl died from their injuries. An 8-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl survived and are now stable at a Houston-area hospital after being taken by Life Flight from the scene.
Romelus has been charged with two counts of murder and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Her total bond has been set at $14 million.
Sheriff Stallman said Romelus is a resident of Montgomery County, where investigators searched her home with help from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. He did not say what, if anything, was found there, citing the ongoing investigation. Jail records show she lives in Porter.
Romelus’ neighbors in Porter told KHOU 11 they were shocked to learn she is accused of shooting her own children. They said Romelus had only lived in the neighborhood for a few months, and many said they had never interacted with her.
However, one neighbor, who did not want to be identified, told KHOU 11 that a couple of Romelus’ children would often walk by her house.
“He always waves, and we tell him hi, and they come back by, and I have a little Yorkie, and sometimes she’ll stop and ask if she can pet the puppy, and so she’ll come up and pet the puppy and stuff,” the neighbor said. “Seeing them Friday, they were happy, and on their way telling us hi and bye, and figuring I would see them again Monday afternoon.”
The neighbor added that she never saw any red flags.
“They looked like just happy kiddos. Nothing out of the ordinary at all,” she said. “Just heartbreaking to think that anything could be so bad that you have to take your children’s life. I don’t understand.”
She also said her heart goes out to the two surviving children.
“This tragedy has shaken our community, and we are all feeling the loss,” Stallman said in a news release. “I’m proud of the deputies whose quick response made a difference, and I want to thank the people of Brazoria County and the surrounding areas for their prayers and support for these children and our first responders.”
The sheriff confirmed the surviving children have been interviewed and are cooperating with investigators. He did not share details about custody arrangements or a possible motive.
“It is impossible to make sense of a senseless tragedy like this. But we will do everything we can to seek justice for these children,” the sheriff said.
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