Crime
Dakayla Dailey charged with killing her 69-year-old stepmother in Spring
SPRING, Texas — A tragic family shooting in north Harris County has left one woman dead and her stepdaughter charged with murder.
Authorities say 27-year-old Dakayla Dailey has been taken into custody and charged in connection with the shooting death of her stepmother, 69-year-old Kathy Brown, inside their home on Hannover Forest Drive in Spring.
According to Harris County Constable Mark Herman’s Office, deputies were called to the 21300 block of Hannover Forest Drive late Friday morning after multiple gunshots were reported in the area.
A worker servicing the backyard pool told investigators he heard several shots from inside the home and immediately called 911 around 10:45 a.m.
When deputies arrived, they discovered two women inside the residence. The older woman, later identified as Kathy Brown, was found in the kitchen and pronounced deceased at the scene from apparent gunshot wounds.
The younger woman, later identified as Dakayla Dailey, was detained without incident.
Authorities say initial findings suggest Dailey became upset after learning that her stepmother did not have any money, which may have led to the fatal confrontation.
Captain Aaron Strain of the Constable’s Office said no one else was in the home at the time of the shooting.
Dailey was taken into custody and booked into the Harris County Jail, where she now faces a murder charge.
Investigators are continuing to gather evidence, including statements and digital records, as part of the ongoing investigation.
Harris County Sgt. Greg Pinkins initially reported that the women might have been a grandmother and granddaughter, but investigators later confirmed their relationship as stepmother and stepdaughter.
Authorities believe the two were the only residents living in the home.
Social media activity linked to Dailey, posted just one day before the shooting, has drawn significant attention online for its disturbing and erratic nature. Officials have not confirmed whether those posts are connected to the motive behind the killing.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Division continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
This heartbreaking case has deeply affected the Spring community, as neighbors expressed shock and disbelief over the incident. One resident described the neighborhood as quiet and family-oriented, saying the tragedy has left everyone shaken.
Authorities urge anyone struggling with anger or family conflict to seek help before violence occurs.
“This is an incredibly sad situation for everyone involved,” Constable Herman said. “Our hearts go out to the victim’s loved ones and to the community as we continue to investigate this senseless act of violence.”
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.