• Oninda Romelus, 31, faces two counts of capital murder and two counts of aggravated assault after allegedly shooting her four children inside a vehicle.
• A 13-year-old boy and 3-year-old girl died at the scene, while an 8-year-old boy and 9-year-old girl survived with serious injuries.
• Romelus called 911 herself to direct deputies to the gas station where they found the children, telling investigators her kids were “with the devil.”

Authorities in Brazoria County, Texas, have charged 31-year-old Oninda Romelus with two counts of capital murder and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after she allegedly shot all four of her children inside a vehicle early Saturday morning, Oct. 5.

The Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office received a call from Romelus at 4:48 a.m. Saturday, directing deputies to an Oasis gas station on Highway 288 near FM 521 in Angleton, about an hour south of Houston. When deputies arrived, they found four children suffering from gunshot wounds inside a vehicle.

“Brazoria County deputies responded to an unthinkable, unimaginable tragedy,” Sheriff Bo Stallman said during a Sunday news conference.

Two children dead, two fighting for survival

Freedom-Loving Beachwear by Red Beach Nation - Save 10% With Code RVM10

O’Karreo Covington, 13, was found dead in the front passenger seat from a gunshot wound to the head. Three-year-old Amourra Chapell died in the backseat. An 8-year-old boy shot in the side and arm, and a 9-year-old girl shot in the arm, were airlifted to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston in critical condition. Both surviving children are now in stable condition.

Deputies immediately began lifesaving measures that authorities said “saved at least one child’s life.” All evidence indicates the shooting occurred inside Romelus’s vehicle, though investigators have not revealed the exact location where the children were shot.

Disturbing statements during interrogation

Court documents reveal chilling details from Romelus’s interview at the sheriff’s office. When investigators asked why she called 911, she reportedly said, “Instead of them doing it to me, I’m gonna do it to them.”

When asked what she meant, Romelus replied “kill them all,” according to court documents. She later told investigators that she didn’t call 911, she “called the devil,” and claimed her children were “with the devil.”

“Cause you can’t take me without me taking you,” Romelus reportedly told investigators, adding that her children were dead to her.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE THE DUPREE REPORT

Court documents describe Romelus as appearing “paranoid” during questioning, constantly looking around the interview room. Surveillance footage from the gas station shows her purchasing $56 worth of gas while on the phone before deputies arrived.

Background and ongoing investigation

Romelus, a resident of Porter in Montgomery County, had only lived in the area for a few months, according to neighbors. One neighbor told KHOU 11 that the children seemed happy just the day before, often stopping to pet her dog while walking by.

“Seeing them Friday, they were happy, and on their way telling us hi and bye,” the neighbor said. “Just heartbreaking to think that anything could be so bad that you have to take your children’s life.”

Romelus has a 2022 conviction in Georgia for driving under the influence of drugs. Texas Child Protective Services confirmed she had previous contact with the agency on one occasion, though details remain confidential pending a Child Fatality Report.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office assisted in searching Romelus’s home, but authorities have not disclosed what, if anything, was found during the search.

Romelus is being held on $14 million bond — $5 million for each murder charge and $2 million for each aggravated assault charge. A court has yet to determine temporary custody arrangements for the surviving children once they’re released from the hospital.

How can communities better identify and intervene when families are in crisis before tragedy strikes?

Freedom-Loving Beachwear by Red Beach Nation - Save 10% With Code RVM10