Texas Mom who shot daughters dead in front of dad had history of mentally illness

A Texas mother who shot her two daughters dead Friday, June 24 had a history of mental illness, authorities said.

Officials identified 42-year-old Christy Sheats as the mother who killed her two daughters, 22-year-old Taylor and 17-year-old Madison.

According to People, Caitilin Espinosa, a spokeswoman for the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office, revealed that Christy had a history of mental illness. Sheriff's records also indicated that the deputies visited the Sheats' home on more than one occasion. However, they couldn't tell why the Sheats asked for the deputies in those instances.

Espinosa also said that the police found the daughters' bodies lying on the street outside their residence along 6000 block of Remson Hollow Lane. The girls fled away from their mother who had already began firing shots inside the house. Taylor already sustained a gunshot wound from inside the house and then another as the mother chased the girls outside. Christy shot Madison but a Fulshear city police officer, who responded to a 911 call, shot Christy dead before she could shoot at Madison again.

Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls told Houston Chronicle that a family altercation escalated into the gun violence. However, Nehls admitted that they're still trying to "put the pieces together."

According to People, Christy avidly took to Facebook to express her thoughts and sentiments, including her support on gun rights.

"It would be horribly tragic if my ability to protect myself or my family were to be taken away, but that's exactly what Democrats are determined to do by banning semi-automatic handguns," wrote Christy in March.

In September, Christy expressed her motherly love.

"Happy Daughter's Day to my two amazing, sweet, kind, beautiful, intelligent girls," she posted on Facebook. "I love and treasure you both more than you could ever possibly know."

The sheriff reported that the father, Jason, stayed inside the house uninjured when the shooting happened. They also checked him in to a local hospital because "he is going through a very difficult time."

"[The husband] loved his daughters," a family friend told ABC13. "They were like best friends for sure. It crushed him. I know it's hard for the family."

Neighbors also told KTRK-TV that Christy and Jason separated but just reunited recently and that Friday happened to be Jason's birthday.