Thursday, July 26, 2012

Lufkin, TX: Authorities looking for double murder suspect east of Lufkin

Law enforcement authorities are now searching in the area of state Highway 103 east and Harley Golden Road for the man suspected in the early morning murders of a Lufkin brother and sister.

Authorities originally believed the suspect, 31-year-old Terrance Barnes, had fled to Center, as he has family there. But they now have set up a command post near state Highway 103 east and Tom Holland Road and are combing the area, trying to find Barnes. They are expected to be bringing in dogs and possibly a helicopter to assist in the search.

The suspect has been said to have been wearing a black shirt and red basketball shorts.

The victims in the Thursday morning stabbing on John Kolb Road east of Lufkin have been identified as Rosa and Pepe Pina with their alleged killer, Terrance Barnes, 31, at large as of 10:45 a.m. Thursday, according to Angelina County Sheriff's Office Capt. Allen Hill.

Authorities were called to the home at 575 John Kolb Road around 1:45 a.m Thursday to the report of a disturbance in progress.

A deputy on another call two blocks away arrived to find Rosa Pina, 27, who was dating Barnes, dying in the driveway with multiple stab wounds. Her throat had also been cut, Hill said.

Her 28-year-old brother was already dead inside the laundry room, according to ACSO investigator Seth Stover.

Barnes, currently on probation out of Shelby County on a drug charge, lived at the home as he and Rosa Pina had been dating off and on for several years, Stover said.

The victims' sister, who witnessed the incident, told Hill Barnes and her sister had gotten into an argument earlier in the night. Rosa Pina was reportedly holding her sister's 3-month-old baby when things turned violent. Her sister told Hill she tried to stop Barnes but he pushed her to the ground. That's when Pepe Pina tried to intervene and was also attacked.

Four other children, ages 3 to 10, were taken from the home to the sheriff's office by Child Protective Services and picked up by family members, Stover said. He believes at least two of the children belonged to Rosa Pina.

A neighbor said he heard "fussing and fighting" coming from the home just before seeing deputies arrive on the scene.

"I heard fussing and fighting but I didn't think anything of it because that's the usual over there," WD Foreman said. "I came outside when I saw the red and blue lights. Her body was lying right there in the driveway."

From outside the home, blood was seen splashed across the bottom of the front door with a trail of drops leading to a puddle near the end of the driveway where Rosa Pina died.

ACSO Lt. Pete Cooper said they have passed along Barnes' information to authorities in neighboring counties.

Anyone with information on his location is urged to call the sheriff's office at 634-3332, Cooper said.

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