Eight People, Including Five Children, Found Dead in Houston-Area Home

Strategic Insights -

A horrific mass shooting occurred at a home in Houston, where a man with a violent criminal history fatally shot eight people, including five children and three adults. The victims were identified as parents Dewayne Jackson, 50, and Valerie Jackson, 40, and their children Nathaniel, 13; Dewayne, 10; Honesty, 11; Caleb, 9; Trinity, 7; and Jonah, 6. The killer, David Conley, 48, had previously been in a contentious relationship with the mother and had a warrant for his arrest for assault. Authorities said Conley surrendered after a standoff with police.

Key Takeaways:

  • Eight people, including five children, were found dead in a Houston-area home after a man with a violent criminal history, David Conley, 48, exchanged gunfire with police.
  • The victims were identified as parents Dewayne Jackson, 50, and Valerie Jackson, 40, and their children Nathaniel, 13; Dewayne, 10; Honesty, 11; Caleb, 9; Trinity, 7; and Jonah, 6.
  • Conley had a warrant for his arrest for assault and had previously been in a contentious relationship with Valerie Jackson.
  • The killer told authorities that he discovered on Saturday that the locks had been changed at the home after he had moved out.
  • Court records show Conley's criminal history dates back to at least 1988, with the most recent incident last month, when he was charged with assault.
  • Conley was arrested for allegedly assaulting Valerie Jackson in a previous incident, and was sentenced to nine months in the county jail in 2013.
  • In 2000, Conley was arrested for retaliation, accused of putting a knife to his then-girlfriend and threatening to kill her, her baby, and himself.
  • Conley was held in Harris County Jail without bail after his arrest.

Statistics:

  • 8 people were found dead in the home.
  • 5 children were among the victims.
  • 3 adults were among the victims.
  • David Conley, 48, was charged with capital murder.
  • Conley had a warrant for his arrest for assault.
  • The crime occurred on Saturday, August 9, 2015.

Sources:

  • Associated Press, Juan A. Lozano
  • Texas Department of Public Safety
  • Harris County Sheriffs Office