Texas police arrested a 15-year-old boy on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, in connection with a triple homicide in North Odessa after police say he planned to shoot his former girlfriend near her school and instead killed her mother and two siblings at their home.
According to Odessa police, shortly before 6 p.m. Tuesday, officers responded to an Odessa apartment complex and discovered three victims inside a residence. Police said the teen had originally intended to ambush his 15-year-old ex-girlfriend after school, but abandoned that plan and went to her family’s home instead.
Once inside the residence, the suspect allegedly shot and killed 39-year-old Jessica Rodriguez, the mother of his ex-girlfriend, along with her 13-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son. All three victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police quickly located the suspect on foot and took him into custody about 40 minutes after the shooting. He was charged with capital murder of multiple persons, a charge that can carry the harshest penalties under Texas law. Because he is a minor, his name has not been released.
What led to the violence
Authorities told reporters that the teen had been romantically involved with the 15-year-old daughter of Rodriguez but that the relationship had recently ended. After the breakup, he allegedly began planning to attack her near Permian High School.
Instead of confronting her at school, he walked to her family’s apartment and carried out what Odessa Police Chief Mike Gerke described as a “tragic and cowardly act of violence.” Gerke declined to say whether the ex-girlfriend was at the home during the shooting, but confirmed she was physically unharmed.
The family’s surviving 15-year-old daughter has not been publicly identified, and officials say she is receiving support from local counselors and community resources. Friends, neighbors, and classmates held vigil events following the killings, expressing shock and sorrow.
The Rodriguez GoFundMe campaign
A GoFundMe campaign set up to help the surviving daughter and cover funeral expenses has drawn contributions from across West Texas. Community leaders have called for increased dialogue about youth mental health and conflict intervention, especially in the wake of a series of high-profile school and teen-targeted threats nationwide.
The Odessa Police Department says the investigation remains active, including inquiries into how the suspect obtained the weapon and whether any adults may face charges related to firearm access.
The teen is currently being held at the Ector County Youth Center on capital murder charges. Prosecutors are considering whether to seek certification to try him as an adult, a process that could significantly affect sentencing if he is convicted. Under Texas law, juveniles tried as adults in capital murder cases can face life imprisonment, though the death penalty is not available due to their age.
Published: Dec 13, 2025 09:13 am