Topline: Two children died and two survived a gas-station shooting that led to capital murder charges against their mother.
Published: October 13, 2026 4:04 pm ET
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Oninda Romelus (via Fayette County Sheriff's Office)
ANGLETON, TX — A Texas mother accused of shooting four of her children, killing two, faces a capital murder case in which prosecutors have sought the death penalty.
Oninda Romelus, of Porter, was charged in the October 4, 2025, shooting. KPRC reported June 11 that prosecutors filed notice seeking execution, alleging she would remain dangerous. Its reporting identifies capital murder and aggravated assault charges.
According to the sheriff’s account in KPRC’s February court coverage, Romelus called 911 after stopping at a gas station at FM 521 and Highway 288. Deputies found four wounded children. A 13-year-old boy and a 3-year-old girl died; an 8-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl survived.
That report placed the indictment in December 2025. In February, Judge Jessica Pulcher barred Romelus from press interviews at the request of defense attorneys Cary Faden and Mike Diaz. Faden said a previous jail interview occurred without his knowledge. The judge cited fair-trial concerns.
KPRC’s June report described defense requests for grand jury testimony, broader juror questionnaires and further pretrial motions. It reported a $14 million bond; Diaz declined comment because of a gag order.
The same report described investigators seizing other people’s identification and financial cards, plus electronics suspected of use in producing fraudulent documents, from her home.
Court records cited by KPRC attributed the words “Kill them all” to Romelus. A reproduction of KHOU’s reporting says she denied making the alleged statements during a December jail interview and said she did not remember them. She also said she had left home believing an ex was stalking her.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Texas Mother Accused of Shooting Four Children Faces Death-Penalty Case
Two children died and two survived a gas-station shooting that led to capital murder charges against their mother.
By Silvia Torres
Published: October 13, 2026 4:04 pm ET
Oninda Romelus (via Fayette County Sheriff's Office)
ANGLETON, TX — A Texas mother accused of shooting four of her children, killing two, faces a capital murder case in which prosecutors have sought the death penalty.
Oninda Romelus, of Porter, was charged in the October 4, 2025, shooting. KPRC reported June 11 that prosecutors filed notice seeking execution, alleging she would remain dangerous. Its reporting identifies capital murder and aggravated assault charges.
According to the sheriff’s account in KPRC’s February court coverage, Romelus called 911 after stopping at a gas station at FM 521 and Highway 288. Deputies found four wounded children. A 13-year-old boy and a 3-year-old girl died; an 8-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl survived.
That report placed the indictment in December 2025. In February, Judge Jessica Pulcher barred Romelus from press interviews at the request of defense attorneys Cary Faden and Mike Diaz. Faden said a previous jail interview occurred without his knowledge. The judge cited fair-trial concerns.
KPRC’s June report described defense requests for grand jury testimony, broader juror questionnaires and further pretrial motions. It reported a $14 million bond; Diaz declined comment because of a gag order.
The same report described investigators seizing other people’s identification and financial cards, plus electronics suspected of use in producing fraudulent documents, from her home.
Court records cited by KPRC attributed the words “Kill them all” to Romelus. A reproduction of KHOU’s reporting says she denied making the alleged statements during a December jail interview and said she did not remember them. She also said she had left home believing an ex was stalking her.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Texas Mother Accused of Shooting Four Children Faces Death-Penalty Case
Two children died and two survived a gas-station shooting that led to capital murder charges against their mother.
By Silvia Torres
Published: October 13, 2026 4:04 pm ET
Oninda Romelus (via Fayette County Sheriff's Office)
ANGLETON, TX — A Texas mother accused of shooting four of her children, killing two, faces a capital murder case in which prosecutors have sought the death penalty.
Oninda Romelus, of Porter, was charged in the October 4, 2025, shooting. KPRC reported June 11 that prosecutors filed notice seeking execution, alleging she would remain dangerous. Its reporting identifies capital murder and aggravated assault charges.
According to the sheriff’s account in KPRC’s February court coverage, Romelus called 911 after stopping at a gas station at FM 521 and Highway 288. Deputies found four wounded children. A 13-year-old boy and a 3-year-old girl died; an 8-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl survived.
That report placed the indictment in December 2025. In February, Judge Jessica Pulcher barred Romelus from press interviews at the request of defense attorneys Cary Faden and Mike Diaz. Faden said a previous jail interview occurred without his knowledge. The judge cited fair-trial concerns.
KPRC’s June report described defense requests for grand jury testimony, broader juror questionnaires and further pretrial motions. It reported a $14 million bond; Diaz declined comment because of a gag order.
The same report described investigators seizing other people’s identification and financial cards, plus electronics suspected of use in producing fraudulent documents, from her home.
Court records cited by KPRC attributed the words “Kill them all” to Romelus. A reproduction of KHOU’s reporting says she denied making the alleged statements during a December jail interview and said she did not remember them. She also said she had left home believing an ex was stalking her.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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