Authorities in Texas have arrested Michael Ellis, a man accused of shooting his girlfriend, Lazette King, to death before sending a photo of her body to his sister. The tragic incident unfolded late Tuesday night, with Houston police revealing that Ellis first shot another man in the leg before going to the apartment he shared with King and fatally shooting her.
The Shocking Sequence of Events
After the shooting, Ellis allegedly sent a photo of King’s lifeless body to his sister, along with a disturbing message threatening to harm King’s family next. “He told her he was on his way to get her family next,” King’s sister, Shatina Thompson, shared in an interview with CBS affiliate KHOU. “That’s when we got in motion to get my parents out of their home because he knows where they live.”
Ellis was arrested early Wednesday morning by authorities. As of Wednesday afternoon, formal charges have not yet been filed, and police are continuing their investigation into the case. Detectives are working to establish a motive, but it has been revealed that Ellis struggled with mental health issues.
Mental Health Struggles and Conspiracy Theories
Ellis’s sister informed local NBC affiliate KPRC that her brother was diagnosed with schizophrenia and had become deeply consumed by conspiracy theories. She mentioned that Ellis and King often had arguments, and he believed King had been ordered by the government to kill him. She also revealed that Ellis had not been taking his medication, which may have contributed to his erratic behavior.
Remembering Lazette King
King’s sister, Shatina Thompson, spoke fondly of her late sister, describing her as a “very free-spirited, happy” person who always tried to help others. “She didn’t deserve what happened to her,” Thompson added, emphasizing how the tragic event has left their family devastated.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, and it remains to be seen what charges will be brought against Ellis. The case highlights the potential dangers of untreated mental health issues and the tragic outcomes they can sometimes lead to.
