An estranged Pakistan-American man allegedly shot his wife, a four-year-old daughter and his mother-in-law in a small Texas town before shooting himself, local police said.
Police have not yet disclosed names of the victims, but the Islamic Society of Greater Houston (ISGH) which arranged the funeral identified them as Sadia Manzoor, Khadija Mohammad, and Inayat Bibi.
So far, the alleged shooter could only be identified by his last name, Mohammad. The victims were laid to rest in the Muslim cemetery of the ISGH in Waller area.
“Please keep sister Sadia, her daughter and mother in your prayers and we ask that Allah give her father and other surviving family members patience to cope with this great loss,” ISGH stated in a statement following the incident.
The family resided in a Houston suburb, known by the name of Spring and is within the limits of the Harris Country Police.
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In a tweet posted on May 19, County Sheriff Ed Conzalez said, “It appears an estranged husband showed up at his wife’s apartment this morning. The male shot his wife, 4-yr-old daughter and his mother-in-law, then turned the gun on himself. All four were pronounced deceased at the scene. A pistol has been recovered. South Asian family, husband.”
Update 2: it appears estranged husband showed up at his wife’s apt this morning. The male shot his wife, 4-yr-old daughter and his mother-in-law, then turned the gun on himself. All 4 pronounced deceased at the scene. A pistol has been recovered. South Asian family, husband 1/2 https://t.co/nu4EWULiIK
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) May 19, 2022
In another tweet, he said, “Four persons confirmed deceased inside an apartment unit. Initial observations, appears to be a murder-suicide. No active threat within the complex.”
Local police later confirmed as well that the victims as well as the alleged shooter were from Pakistan.
On May 20, a neighbour, Tricia Penn, had responded to the sheriff’s tweet, saying, “God bless. This is awful. We failed this woman, her child and her mom. Dear State of Texas, we need to do better!”
Local reports suggested that Sadia Manzoor was a teacher at an Islamic school located close to her residence, with her coworkers saying they became concerned when “usually punctual employee” did not show up at the office on Thursday.
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