"Person Of Interest" Commits Suicide As SWAT Arrives

"LEDBETTER, TX — The shooting of a 19-year-old mother and her 19-month-old in Fayette County is tied to a standoff where the suspect died of an apparent suicide Monday in Austin, deputies said. The Texas Rangers were called to investigate after a 19-year-old woman was found dead Monday in a home along U.S. Highway 290 near Ledbetter in Fayette County. A 19-month-old child was rushed to Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin for treatment of a head wound.

"Deputies say they got a 911 call Monday saying a woman and child were lying in blood on the floor of a home. Deputies identified the woman as Justice Martinez. They believe she died as the result of a gunshot wound.

"Fayette County Deputies say they then identified a person of interest who lived in Austin and notified police. Officers went to the man’s address, where he refused to come out. A SWAT team was called in to negotiate, but police say he killed himself instead. Police identified the dead man as Deandre Rashad L. Owens.

"Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the shooting. An autopsy has been ordered for Martinez.

"[Court records show] Martinez had an emergency protection order filed on Jan. 21 against a 25-year-old Owens, but it expired on March 21. Records indicate Martinez did not apply for a permanent protective order after the emergency order expired.

"`We don’t have stuff like that happen in this little town,` said Harley Goerlitz, who has lived in Ledbetter his entire life. `I’ve never seen anything like this in Ledbetter. It’s a calm little town; everyone’s friendly.`"

From kxan.com...