A man has been arrested after allegedly shooting and killing his girlfriend inside a Houston flat and sending disturbing photos of her body to family members.
The shooting occurred around 11:20 p.m. on Tuesday at an apartment complex on McHenry Street, near Mesa Drive.
According to authorities, Michael Ellis and Lazette King were staying in the flat at the time of the shooting.
Ellis’ sister claims he has been diagnosed with mental health issues, including paranoid schizophrenia, and that he was off his medication at the time of the incident.
However, King’s family denies that mental illness played a role in her death, citing what they call a well-planned attack.
“He knew what he was doing and to do what he did, take pictures and send it to his sister? Come on now,” said Vikki Kyle, King’s mother. King’s sister, Shatina Thompson, added, “And that he had a plan to come and kill the rest of the family.”
Ellis’ sister stated that Ellis and King argued frequently, and that Ellis was obsessed with conspiracy theories.
According to her, he thought King was conspiring with the government to kill him.
Ellis fled the scene after photographing the incident and sending it to the King family. Relatives contacted police, and the HPD SWAT team later entered the flat, discovering King dead from a gunshot wound.
Ellis was arrested near Willowbrook Mall.
Shatina Thompson informed us that her sister had been in a relationship with Ellis for at least six years and was living with him at the time.
Ellis remains in the Harris County Jail.
