ODESSA, TX – In a devastating act that shattered a local family, three members of an Odessa household were killed Tuesday when a 15-year-old boy allegedly broke into their home and opened fire, leaving a mother and her two young children dead.
According to police, Jessica Rodriguez, 39, and her children, 13-year-old daughter Clarissa and 9-year-old son Ethan, were found fatally shot inside their residence on Hunter Miller Way. The attack occurred in the early afternoon, shocking neighbors and leaving the tight-knit community reeling just days before the holidays.
Authorities say the suspected shooter, also 15, is the former boyfriend of Rodriguez’s teenage daughter. Investigators believe that he initially planned to target his ex-girlfriend outside her school, but instead went to her home, where he encountered and killed her family members.
The victims’ loved ones are struggling to process the loss. Rodriguez, described by friends as a devoted mother, had worked hard to give her children a safe and loving home. Clarissa was an eighth grader who loved reading and spending time with friends, while Ethan was known for his playful spirit and enthusiasm for soccer. All three were found dead at the scene when police arrived.
The suspect fled on foot after the shootings but was apprehended less than an hour later, police said. Authorities have not released the boy’s name due to his age. The teenage ex-girlfriend was reportedly unharmed, though police have not clarified whether she was in the home during the incident.
Police are still working to determine how the suspect acquired the handgun used in the murders. Law enforcement officials have withheld details as the investigation continues, but acknowledged that statements made by the teen about obtaining the weapon are under scrutiny.
Roy Martinez, the children’s father, shared his grief publicly, saying the tragedy has left his family shattered. On a fundraising page organized to help cover funeral expenses, Martinez wrote of his heartbreak, noting that life would never be the same after losing his children and their mother.
The 15-year-old suspect now faces three counts of capital murder and is being detained at the Ector County Youth Center. Authorities have indicated that they are considering how to proceed with charges given his age.
Community members have gathered to support the family, holding vigils and leaving flowers outside the Rodriguez home. Odessa Police said the triple homicide has deeply affected the entire city, casting a somber shadow over the approaching holiday season.
The investigation into the circumstances leading up to the shooting is ongoing. As friends and neighbors grieve the loss, they remember Jessica Rodriguez and her two children as cherished members of the community, whose absence will be felt for years to come.