3 Children ĸιlled, 2 Woυɴded At Home In Italy, Texas; Sυѕpecт In Cυѕтody

Authorities responded about 4 p.m. to a home in the 300 block of South Harris Street, near Stafford Elementary School in Italy.

Three children were killed and two more were wounded at a home in the Ellis County city of Italy on Friday afternoon, authorities said.

A suspect was in custody, according to the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, and officials did not believe there was any danger to the community.

Authorities responded about 4 p.m. to a home in the 300 block of South Harris Street, near Stafford Elementary School.

 

Ellis County sheriff’s Deputy Jerry Cozby said at a Friday night news conference that authorities found three victims dead inside the home. Two more were taken to hospitals; their conditions were not available.

All of the victims were children, Cozby said. Their names and ages were not released, and officials did not say how they were killed.

Officials did not release the name of the suspect or say whether that person was related to the victims.

 

Police cars and tape block off a portion of South Harris Street, near the home where three children were killed and two more were wounded in Italy, Texas, on Friday.(Liesbeth Powers / Staff Photographer)

‘Like losing a part of your family’

The community of about 2,000 people, about 40 miles south of downtown Dallas, was reeling after the horrific incident in a place they call a quiet little town where everyone knows each other.

The slaying are the latest in a series of events that has shattered the community, residents said. It stoked reminders of a 2018 shooting at Italy High School where a 15-year-old girl was wounded. About three weeks ago, residents said, there was a homicide.

“It’s tragic happening to little kids,” said Dax Shelton, a senior at Italy High School.

Close to Stafford Elementary, nearly 50 people gathered together in a circle Friday night.

They lit candles and sang “Amazing Grace.” They prayed — for the family, the children and each other. They implored one another to check on each other.

They asked: Who would want to commit such a crime?

Officers move about the blocked off portion of South Harris Street, near the home where three children were killed and two more were wounded in Italy, Texas, on Friday.(Liesbeth Powers / Staff Photographer)

Four of the children attended Stafford Elementary, according to Tye Thomas, who has lived in Italy for 12 years. Thomas, who attends Navarro College, said he is a part-time substitute teacher at the elementary school and met the kids earlier Friday.

“When I found out who it was, I’m really sad because those kids — they were really good,” he said.

Because college has taken away most of his time, he said he hasn’t been subbing for classes too often. But he was glad he made it Friday.

Jamelia Anderson, who said she was a cousin of the family, was walking next to police tape to try to place candles near the home where the children were killed, but turned back after not being able to do so.

“They were quiet, innocent kids,” said Anderson, who has lived in Italy her whole life.

She said she picked them up from Stafford and took them to McDonald’s — a time of fun and joy.

Many of the residents near the school Friday had attended there, or their children did.

“When you lose one, it’s like losing a part of your family,” said Quentin Little, a resident of Italy for 38 years whose daughter, now in junior high, went to Stafford.

Seeing residents gather together to pray in a time of senseless tragedy is Italy, he said.

“You see people come together in tragedy and yeah, it happens everywhere, but it’s heartfelt from a small town,” he said.

Residents said the scene near Stafford is what makes up Italy. The people love sports and come to cheer for the Italy Gladiators — the high school team.

“The support at football games, our support at basketball games, they love everybody around here,” said Shelton, who plays football and basketball at the high school.

‘Fluid’ investigation

Vehicles from the sheriff’s office, police department and Ellis County constable sat on Harris Street next to Stafford Elementary. Officers were seen going in and out of the school.

Several homes along the street were cordoned off with police tape.

But few details about the incident had emerged Friday night.

A Child Protective Services caseworker called the Italy Police Department to the scene, Cozby told The Dallas Morning News. Italy police then contacted the sheriff’s office to lead the investigation, he said.

Cozby said authorities were “extremely sad to have to report on” the incident and added that prayers for the family were the most important thing Friday night. He called the investigation “fluid” and said officials would provide updates when they could.

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services was assisting with the investigation into the deaths of the children, who had been placed with a relative.

“We are shocked by this incomprehensible tragedy, and already working with law enforcement to investigate how this happened, and why,” agency spokesman Patrick Crimmins said.

Staff writer Robert T. Garrett contributed to this report.

 

Source:  dallasnews.com