Authorities say two brothers, ages 21 and 15, were fatally shot inside their Waxahachie home early Oct. 1.
WAXAHACHIE, Texas — A 42-year-old Texas woman faces two counts of capital murder after authorities accused her of fatally shooting her two sons inside a Waxahachie home early Thursday, Oct. 1, according to the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office.
Colleen Nichole Lemmon was taken into custody after deputies responded at about 4:13 a.m. to a 911 call reporting an emergency in the 900 block of Big Sky Drive. Deputies found her sons suffering from gunshot wounds inside the residence. Christopher Scott Pitre, 21, was pronounced dead at the scene. His 15-year-old brother was taken to a hospital in critical condition and later died, authorities said.
The sheriff’s office said investigators developed probable cause to believe Lemmon was responsible for shooting both sons after reviewing evidence gathered during the investigation. Lemmon was also found injured at the home. Authorities described her injuries as not life-threatening and said she was taken to a hospital for treatment before being booked into the Wayne McCollum Detention Center. The criminal charges remain allegations and have not been proven in court.
Investigators have not publicly announced a motive or provided a complete account of what they believe happened before the shootings. An arrest affidavit obtained by news organizations provided additional allegations about the scene and Lemmon’s statements to deputies, but those claims have not yet been tested in court. Authorities have also not released a complete inventory of the evidence recovered from the residence.
The sheriff’s office initially withheld the younger victim’s identity because he was a juvenile. The family and funeral home records later identified him as Brian Joseph Pitre. Green Funeral Home in Ferris lists Brian’s date of birth as Sept. 27, 2011, meaning he had turned 15 only days before his death. The funeral home also lists Christopher Pitre among its recent deaths.
Family members have spoken publicly about the brothers in the days since the shooting. Their father, Scott Pitre, told local news outlets that Brian had recently celebrated his 15th birthday with relatives at a lake. Authorities said the boys’ father was notified after both deaths. The sheriff’s office has released limited additional information about the family as the homicide investigation continues.
Ellis County Sheriff Brad Norman expressed sympathy to the family after investigators announced the charges. “My deepest sympathies go out to the victims’ father, family members, and loved ones involved in this tragic incident,” Norman said in a statement. “They will remain in our prayers during this difficult time.”
Early reports said Lemmon was awaiting arraignment and that a bond had not yet been determined. More recent reports citing custody information said her bond was set at $2.5 million and that she remained held at the Wayne McCollum Detention Center. Publicly available reports reviewed through the weekend did not identify an attorney speaking on her behalf or indicate that she had entered a plea.
The capital murder charges are among the most serious allegations available under Texas criminal law, but the filing of charges does not establish guilt. Prosecutors would have to prove the allegations in court. Authorities have not announced whether additional charges are under consideration, and no trial date has been publicly confirmed.
Funeral home information lists a graveside service for Brian at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at Ferris Memorial Park North. Meanwhile, the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the shootings. Officials have not announced a motive, and Lemmon remains accused, not convicted, as the case moves through the court system.
Author note: Last updated October 4, 2026.