A 15-year-old boy in Odessa, Texas, has been charged with capital murder after allegedly killing his ex-girlfriend’s mother and two younger siblings in what police describe as a planned attack stemming from a recent breakup.
According to the Odessa Police Department, officers responded to the 87th Street Apartments on Dec. 9 and found three victims — Jessica Rodriguez, 39; her 9-year-old son, Elijah; and her 13-year-old daughter, Alexandria — fatally shot inside their home. The family’s surviving daughter, also 15, was not home during the attack.
Police say the suspect, identified in multiple reports as Elijah Garcia, had initially planned to confront his ex-girlfriend outside Permian High School, but instead went to the family’s apartment and carried out the shooting shortly before 6 p.m. He was arrested roughly 40 minutes later along Andrews Highway. A handgun believed to be the weapon used in the killings was recovered at the scene.
Prosecutors are now seeking to have the teen tried as an adult. Under Texas law, a juvenile certified as an adult and convicted of capital murder can face life in prison without parole. The death penalty cannot be applied because of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2005 ruling in Roper v. Simmons, which prohibits executions for crimes committed by minors.
Family members and community supporters have launched a GoFundMe campaign that has surpassed $50,000, aimed at assisting with funeral expenses and long-term support for the surviving daughter. Vigils have been held at the apartment complex and local schools since then.
The case has also sparked a widespread online reaction with thousands of users expressing shock and grief while pointing to rising concerns about teen violence nationwide. CDC data shows youth homicides in the U.S. increased by roughly 20% between 2019 and 2023.
The investigation remains active, including a review of the suspect’s digital communications and planning in the days leading up to the shooting. A trial date has not yet been set.
