Inset: Colleen Nichole Lemmon (Ellis County Sheriff's Office). Background: The area near where Lemmon allegedly killed her two sons in Waxahachie, Texas (Google Maps).
A Texas woman is behind bars after shooting and killing her two sons at the family's home, Lone Star State law enforcement officials say.
Colleen Nichole Lemmon, 42, stands accused of two counts of capital murder in connection with the deaths of her sons, 21-year-old Christopher Scott Pitre and a 15-year-old boy, according to the Ellis County Sheriff's Office.
The younger victim has not been identified as of this writing.
The investigation began around 4:15 a.m. on Thursday, when deputies arrived at the residence on Big Sky Drive in Waxahachie in response to "an unknown emergency," the sheriff's office said.
Inside, both victims were suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
The older victim was pronounced dead at the scene, while the younger boy was rushed to a nearby hospital and listed in critical condition. The 15-year-old later succumbed to his injuries as well.
The defendant was still at the residence when deputies arrived. She was found with non-life-threatening injuries and taken to a hospital before being booked on preliminary charges, the sheriff's office said.
Detectives eventually determined that there was probable cause that the mother was responsible for shooting both of the victims, the sheriff's office said, citing "corroborating evidence."
Details about what led up to the shooting were not immediately available. Law enforcement noted that the father of the two victims had been notified of their deaths.
"My deepest sympathies go out to the victims' father, family members, and loved ones involved in this tragic incident," Ellis County Sheriff Brad Norman said in a statement. "They will remain in our prayers during this difficult time."
Lemmon is currently detained in the Ellis County Jail. A bond determination is pending her arraignment, authorities said.