Suspect charged with capital murder after 8 people found dead in Texas home
HOUSTON -- What started as a welfare check turned into tragedy overnight in northwest Harris County. Eight people, including 5 children, were found dead inside a home and a suspect is now charged with capital murder.
David Conley, 49, has been taken into custody and is now charged with capital murder.
Deputies were called to the home on Falling Oaks at Veterans Memorial at around 9:30pm. They arrived and tried unsuccessfully to get someone to answer the door.
"After several repeated times to get someone to come in the door, more information was obtained that a male was inside the home who had a warrant for aggravated assault of a family member," said Deputy Thomas Gilliland with the Harris County Sheriff's Office.
Because of the the suspect's warrant, the sergeant on scene called for a high-risk operations unit. With the home surrounded, deputies looked through a window and noticed what appeared to be a juvenile dead on the floor. That's when they forced their way inside.
"It seemed like a movie," said one neighbor. "I couldn't even believe it myself. I've never been in a situation like this. Like I said, I was just hanging out with my girlfriend, having a good time with her family."
Once inside, they say the suspect fired at them. A standoff followed that lasted until around 12:30am, when they were able to talk the suspect out of the house.
At this point, it's not clear how the 8 people died or their relationship to Conley. The identities of the deceased haven't been released.
Neighbor Andrew Silva says he knew at least one of the children killed. "Yea, they would tell me, 'I don't want to be home no more,'" said Silva. "And I'd be like, 'Naw, dog, go to school, finish school. You told me you had a dream to go to the NFL, you know. I believe in you. I know you. You good at that.' He used to play for the little league at (the) park. I used to go to his practice, and his little brothers, too."
Gilliland said deputies have been called to the home before, but did not elaborate on the nature of those calls. Conley has prior convictions for aggravated robbery, evading arrest and drug charges.
PHOTOS: Scene where 5 children and 3 adults were found dead
