Woman texted mother: I’m being held at gunpoint

A woman who previously dated the man accused of fatally shooting her, her husband and six children texted her mother before her death that she was being held at gunpoint.

Harris County district attorney Devon Anderson said authorities had been alerted of problems at the home by the mother of victim Valerie Jackson. “My heart goes out to the mother who received the text from her daughter that she was in trouble, and the mother was many states away but of course did what any mother would do and called 911.”

David Conley, 48, has been charged with capital murder.

Those killed, who all were shot in the head, were identified as parents Dewayne Jackson, 50; his wife, Valerie Jackson, 40; and their children Dewayne, 10; Honesty, 11; Caleb, 9; Trinity, 7; and Jonah, 6. Also killed was Nathaniel, 13, who was believed to be Conley’s son from the relationship with Valerie Jackson.

The request from Valerie Jackson’s mother on Saturday sent deputies to the home in northwest Houston.

After authorities learned that Conley had a warrant for his arrest for an assault charge, the sheriff’s office High Risk Operations Unit was called.

A standoff ensued for several hours until Conley surrendered, said Sgt Craig Clopton, the lead investigator.