Police say Ron Lee Haskell lined up a family of seven related to his estranged wife and attempted to execute them all military style. Only one 15-year-old survived the ordeal by playing dead. (Via Harris County Sheriff's Department)
Katie and Stephen Stay, along with four children, the youngest just 4 years old, were forced to lie on the floor in their Texas home before being shot one-by-one. KTRK spoke with Stephen's parents:
"Fifteen-year-old Cassidy survived, their first conversation was hard."
"I said I was sorry Cassidy, about everything that's happened. But I'm just thankful you're still here with us. And she said 'my mom and dad are in a better place.'"
Despite being shot in the head, Cassidy survived by pretending to play dead. She is now being hailed as a hero, as she was the one who alerted authorities Haskell may have been heading to another house, possibly another family member's. And it's now coming out Haskell had trouble with the law before:
"He does have a criminal past. This second mug shot, right here, is from Utah."
"Haskell was charged with assaulting his own mother in San Diego County, California, last week." (Via KPRC)
Police in California say Haskell assaulted his mother and demanded to know where his wife was. It's currently unclear if the two were estranged or actually divorced.
Utah station KSTU focused on Haskell's history in its state.
"He was incarcerated in the Cache County jail in 2008 for assault and child abuse or neglect, according to deputies. ... since that booking Haskell had 'multiple involvements with Logan City Police Department and had a protective order served on him.'"
Outlets are also now reporting Haskell's estranged wife took out a protective order against him, exactly a year to the day of the murders. He was reportedly looking for her when these killings happened. (Via CNN)
Authorities caught up to Haskell after a car chase. Police say he held a gun to his head for hours. Some reports say the vehicle was swarmed, others say he surrendered peacefully. (Via ABC)
Prosecutors filed charges against Haskell for capital murder.
An official memorial page has been set up for the family on Facebook, and donors had already given more than $95,000 to a GoFundMe page as of Friday morning.
