Devin Kieth Grantom, 28, did not appear in court on Monday morning, but details of the case were read. A judge set his bond at $500,000.
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He's charged with the murder of his wife, 28-year-old Courtney Grantom. Devin's 64-year-old mother, Deborah Grantom, was also killed during the fight, according to Harris County sheriff's deputies.
The shooting happened at a home in the 8700 block of Cypressbrook Drive. Neighbors told ABC13 the majority of the argument happened in the front yard of the home.
ORIGINAL REPORT: 2-year-old saved from shooting where mother was killed during family argument, deputies say
2-year-old saved from shooting where mother was killed during family argument, deputies say
According to charging documents, the argument was about a break-up or possible divorce.
Courtney called her father and asked him to come to the house during the fight, prosecutors said in court. When her father arrived, he was hugging his daughter when Devin started shooting at them, he told investigators.
"The defendant began shooting at the father, striking him and the complainant. The father attempted to shield his daughter, the complainant, by placing his body in front of her," prosecutors said.
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The suspect's wife was pronounced dead at the scene. Her father is still in the hospital but is expected to be OK, deputies said.
Another man -- a 33-year-old who was a friend of the suspect -- also showed up to the house to try to de-escalate the situation, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said. Both he and the victim's father allegedly fired shots before they were hurt.
At some point during the chaos, Deborah was also shot and killed. It is unclear, at this point, who fired the shots that killed her.
According to Cy-Fair ISD, Deborah worked in the school's Nutrition Services Department for nearly 20 years. She retired in May of this year.
ABC13 spoke with the suspect's brother, who was home when the shooting happened. He said his mom was also trying to calm things down before she was killed.
"At first, she was trying to de-escalate the situation because she's just a nice, good-hearted person and didn't want my brother to go to jail," James Grantom said. "It's just really hard. I lost basically my entire family today."
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Deputies said there was a 2-year-old inside the home during the shooting. The child's uncle, James, protected the little boy by getting him away from the shots that were being fired, according to law enforcement.
HCSO is working with Child Protective Services to determine what happens with the child.
"We've received previous calls for service before, possibly involving the married couple. Deputies are familiar with the residence," Gonzalez said.
Devin is due back in court on Tuesday.
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