Suspect charged with capital murder in death of husband and wife in W. Harris Co. home, HCSO says

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A suspect was arrested in connection with a shooting that left a husband and a wife dead in a west Harris County home, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

The suspect was identified as 42-year-old Norman Lee Johnson, Jr., who is charged with capital murder in the shooting deaths of Trinette and Christopher Lopez, both 52.

The couple had been married for 28 years and were high school sweethearts, according to their family.

"I hope he is judged to the fullest extent of the law," the couple's daughter, Kristina Rayson, said after learning of Johnson's arrest.

On Jan. 12, HCSO said deputies responded to the scene in the 3700 block of Bent Springs Lane around 6 a.m. after a man reported finding his father and mother shot to death on the first floor of the two-story home where they lived. He, his sister, who is also an adult, and the couple's 7-year-old adopted daughter were asleep at the time of the shooting, HCSO said.

Johnson is the biological father of the 7-year-old and a cousin of Trinette Lopez, according to Rayson.

Investigators say they believe the motive for the murder stemmed from the custody of the 7-year-old, which Johnson protested for years, according to the family. They say he made multiple threats, and in October 2024, he was charged with harassment after court records show he threatened to kill Christopher Lopez over the same custody issue. He was never arrested.

Investigators say they believe Johnson drove from Round Rock, where he lives, to Harris County to kill the couple.

"My family took his daughter in when he lost custody. We raised her, loved her, and kept her safe. We were repaid by him taking their lives, and taking away the family his daughter loved and trusted," Rayson added.

Johnson was arrested in Round Rock on Tuesday and was booked into the Williamson County Jail.

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