Deputies: One dead in love triangle shooting in Katy

Jessica Willey Image
Saturday, November 28, 2015
One dead in suspected love triangle
One man is dead, a woman is in custody and a woman is in the hospital after the shooting Friday morning.

KATY, TX (KTRK) -- A 78-year-old man is in custody after allegedly shooting and killing his wife's boyfriend and wounding his wife just as the two lovers were embarking on a weekend getaway.

The shooting happened Friday morning in the 24600 block of Tokatee Court in Katy. According to Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office investigators, Dennis Patrick Gibson shot his wife's boyfriend outside their home.

The victim, 66-year-old Vernon Burger, was taken to the hospital by Life Flight after the shooting, but was later pronounced dead. He was shot once in the side and once in the back of the head. The suspect's wife, Jaqueline Gibson, 68, is expected to survive. She is in fair condition at Memorial Hermann Hospital.

According to detectives, Burger and Dennis Gibson knew each other from a German singing group. Jacqueline Gibson was the group's photographer. They say Burger was picking her up Friday morning for a trip to a Louisiana casino for his birthday.

Dennis Gibson reportedly found out, which led to a fight and then the shooting.

"And then we heard, 'pow, pow,' two gunshots," Shannon Line said, "And that's when we called 911."

Other neighbors said there has been some family drama going on at the house, and that a middle school-aged boy lives with the elderly couple. All neighbors who spoke with Eyewitness News said the elderly man seemed very nice.

"That's a little scary," neighbor Naseem Nouhpisheh said, "Hard to believe. He's always been a very quiet, nice, considerate man."

Burger had been married for 31 years. His wife had difficulty walking and was often home with a caregiver, according to his neighbors.

"Very shocking to me. I just can't believe he would do something like that," said Joe Chavera, described Burger as a "good gentleman" and "great neighbor."

Investigators say Dennis Gibson confessed to the shooting. He has been booked into the Fort Bend County Jail, charged with aggravated assault and murder.

"That's a little scary," neighbor Naseem Nouhpisheh said, "Hard to believe. He's always been a very quiet, nice, considerate man."

Investigators say Dennis Gibson confessed to the shooting. He has been booked into the Fort Bend County Jail, charged with aggravated assault and murder.