A Texas man is in jail after allegedly attempting to kill his ex-girlfriend’s four teenage children while she was away, according to police.
Willie Simpson III, 32, was arrested on Friday and faces three counts of aggravated assault of a family member. As detailed in a criminal complaint reviewed by Law&Crime, Simpson allegedly arrived at the Timber Creek apartment complex in Houston on the evening of July 27, where he encountered the 16- and 19-year-old sons of his former girlfriend.
The 16-year-old informed Simpson that their mother was not home, prompting Simpson to call her directly. Authorities said he warned her during the call that he would kill her children if she didn’t come home.
After ending the call, Simpson allegedly threatened the boys, saying he would shoot them if they didn’t go back inside. According to the 16-year-old’s account to police, Simpson opened fire as they fled. The 19-year-old was hit in the abdomen but only realized he had been shot once inside the apartment. The brothers escaped by running through the unit and jumping off the second-floor balcony.
Inside the apartment were two more children—13- and 12-year-old sisters. The older girl told police she had just returned from the pool with her sister and some friends and saw Simpson near the apartment with a gun visible in his pants. As the brothers were leaving the unit, the girls went inside to change.
Soon after, the 12-year-old reportedly heard gunfire. The 13-year-old went to investigate while her sister hid in the bathroom. According to the complaint, Simpson confronted the older girl and pointed a gun at her. She ran and concealed herself in a closet under a pile of clothes. Although Simpson checked the closet, he didn’t find her.
While hiding, the 13-year-old said she heard more gunshots. When officers arrived, they discovered the 12-year-old in the bathroom, wounded by a gunshot to her abdomen.
Both the 19-year-old brother and 12-year-old sister were taken to the hospital in critical condition. The boy underwent surgery to have his spleen removed. Both were expected to survive.
The children’s mother told police she and Simpson had previously been in a relationship but had since broken up. On the day of the incident, she said Simpson had sent her several texts requesting to return to the apartment he used to share with her and the children. When she refused, he began calling her.
According to the mother, Simpson demanded she return home or he would harm her kids. After their phone call ended, she called one of her sons and heard him running in fear.
Simpson was arrested on Friday and charged with three counts of aggravated assault of a family member, burglary with intent to commit murder, and unlawful possession of a firearm. His bond was set at $1.465 million during a Monday court appearance. He remains in Harris County Jail and is expected back in court on Thursday.
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