A murder-suicide in Texas over the weekend killed three people and two dogs while seriously injuring a law enforcement officer.
In a news release, Leon County Sheriff Kevin Ellis identified the assailant as James Scott Grigory, 38, and the victims as his mother and father.
Grigory also shot a Leon County Sheriff’s Office deputy before committing suicide by turning the gun on himself, according to Ellis.
Deputies initially conducted a welfare check after receiving a call “about a suicidal subject who alleged to have killed his parents” in Normangee, a town of less than 500 people located about 120 miles east of Austin.
When the deputies, assisted by a Department of Public Safety trooper, attempted to make contact with someone inside the house, Grigory allegedly opened fire, according to Ellis.
According to Ellis, one deputy was struck in the face and arm during the gunfire and had to be transported from the scene by helicopter for medical treatment.
Following that, law enforcement established a perimeter around the residence, and a SWAT team arrived shortly thereafter to take control of the situation, according to Ellis.
When the SWAT team entered the home, they discovered two dogs and a man — later identified as Grigory’s father — who had been shot, according to Ellis.
They also discovered Grigory dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Ellis stated.
During all of this, deputies from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office were conducting a welfare check at Grigory’s mother’s home.
According to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, when deputies arrived at the home, Grigory’s mother had died of an apparent gunshot wound.
According to Ellis, the Texas Rangers are currently handling the investigation into the incident.
Ellis stated that the deputy, who was shot twice during the incident, is in stable condition and awaiting surgery.
Law enforcement has yet to release the names of the three victims.
