Alvin, TX: Police: Man shot wife, killed himself

By John Tompkins
The Facts
Published March 27, 2010

ALVIN — A woman shot three times was recovering in a Houston hospital Friday, and her husband was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The 56-year-old man called police about 10 p.m. Thursday and said he accidentally shot his 67-year-old wife, Alvin Police Lt. Todd Arendell said.

“A male caller said he was cleaning his firearm and it discharged,” Arendell said.

Police are not releasing the names of those involved because they cannot verify other relatives have been notified, Arendell said.

When police arrived at the home in the 25000 block of Highway 6 West, they found the woman inside with gunshot wounds to her leg and torso, Arendell said. The man later was found in a vehicle under a carport with a gunshot wound to his head, he said.

A preliminary autopsy report states the man’s wound appears to be self-inflicted, Arendell said.

The woman was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston by LifeFlight helicopter. She was listed in serious condition Friday, hospital spokeswoman Ann Brimberry said.

Before she was flown to the hospital, the woman told officials at the scene her husband was cleaning his gun when it fired, but investigators are not sure that’s what happened, Arendell said.

“She was shot three times,” he said.

Police did not have a chance to interview the woman by Friday because she was at the hospital recovering. Arendell said no further details were available.


John Tompkins is senior reporter for The Facts. Contact him at 979-849-8581.