THE 87TH STREET TRAGEDY: A FAMILY SHATTERED IN ODESSA
What happened inside that quiet Odessa apartment on 87th Street wasn’t just another headline — it was the kind of story that rips a hole straight through a community. A mother and two innocent children lost their lives in a way no one can wrap their mind around, and at the center of it all is a teenage breakup that spiraled into a nightmare no one saw coming. Neighbors still talk about how fast everything happened. How the silence of an ordinary night was broken by something they’ll never forget.
Police say a 15-year-old boy, allegedly upset over the end of a relationship with his teenage girlfriend, walked into the home where she lived with her mother and siblings. Within moments, lives were taken. Futures were stolen. And the ripple effect has left a father — R.G.’s former husband — shattered as he faces the impossible task of burying both his children and his ex-wife.
This isn’t just a crime story. This is a story about three people who mattered… and a community that can’t make sense of the violence that took them.
THE VICTIMS
The victims in this case are being protected publicly due to the ages of the two children, but what we do know paints a heartbreaking picture of a family that tried to find stability and routine in their everyday lives.
R.G., the adult female victim, was the ex-wife of Roy Gonzales. Friends describe her as a dedicated mother who worked hard, stayed quiet, and loved her children fiercely. She leaves behind a life she built from scratch, a trail of people who depended on her, and a daughter who now has to wake up in a world without her.
Her two children — J.G. and L.G., both minors — were described as joyful, kind, and deeply connected to their father. They split their time between parents, enjoyed school activities, and were known for having bright personalities. They were the type of kids who left drawings on the fridge, little footprints in the carpet, and laughter that filled the home.
Those echoes are gone now. And their absence is felt everywhere.
HOW EVERYTHING UNFOLDED
On December 9, 2025, just after 7 p.m., Odessa Police say they were called to an apartment complex on East 87th Street. The call came in as a shooting, but officers quickly realized the scene was far worse. Inside, they found R.G. and both of her children dead from gunshot wounds.
Outside the apartment, neighbors were frozen in shock. Some reported hearing yelling. Others said the entire complex suddenly went quiet — that eerie silence before chaos breaks open. A few people on social media made claims about what they saw or heard, but investigators have not confirmed those details. Anything circulating online should be considered unverified unless police confirm it.
What is confirmed:
The accused shooter was a 15-year-old boy named Brandon Joseph Gonzales, who allegedly had just gone through a breakup with R.G.’s teenage daughter. Authorities say he showed up at the apartment armed, entered the home, and opened fire.
R.G.’s daughter — the ex-girlfriend — was home at the time. According to police, she survived by hiding and staying silent, eventually escaping the apartment and calling for help. What she witnessed, what she heard, what she now has to carry… that is something no child should ever have to endure.
Responding officers tracked down Brandon not far from the scene. He was taken into custody without incident. Police say he admitted to “being at the apartment,” but investigators are still piecing together the exact sequence of events and every decision that led up to this tragedy.
WHAT WE KNOW FROM INVESTIGATORS
Investigators say the motive appears tied to the recent breakup between Brandon and his ex-girlfriend. Police report the breakup happened earlier that same day, and Brandon allegedly left school visibly upset.
At some point after school hours, he reportedly armed himself and made his way to the apartment where his ex-girlfriend lived. Police have not yet stated how he obtained the firearm, who it belonged to, or whether anyone else could face charges relating to access to the weapon. Those details remain part of an active investigation.
Detectives also confirmed:
- The victims died quickly.
- There were no signs of forced entry.
- The ex-girlfriend was inside the apartment but survived.
- Multiple 911 calls were placed around the same time.
- The timeline between the alleged breakup and the shooting was extremely short.
- Police describe this case as “deeply disturbing” and “one of the most devastating acts of violence involving minors they have seen in years.”
UNANSWERED QUESTIONS
Even with what’s been confirmed, there are still painful gaps in the story — questions that investigators have not publicly addressed:
- How did a 15-year-old obtain the firearm used?
- Did the accused suspect have a history of emotional or behavioral concerns?
- Were there any warning signs at school or at home before this tragedy unfolded?
- Did the breakup truly occur only hours before the shooting, or were there escalating tensions beforehand?
- How long was the suspect inside the apartment?
- What did the surviving daughter witness or overhear?
- Were the victims targeted individually, or was this a rapid act without clear selection?
The community is desperate for answers, but investigators are moving carefully, mindful of the ages of those involved and the trauma inflicted on the surviving child.
KEY INDIVIDUALS & RELATIONSHIPS
R.G. – Mother – Adult female victim; former spouse of Roy; lived with her children on 87th Street.
J.G. – Minor child – Victim; described as bright, kind, and deeply loved.
L.G. – Minor child – Victim; younger sibling; remembered as joyful and full of life.
Teen Daughter – Surviving child – Ex-girlfriend of accused suspect; present during shooting; escaped unharmed physically.
Roy Gonzales – Father – Father of the two child victims; ex-husband of R.G.; devastated and actively involved in funeral arrangements.
Brandon Joseph Gonzales – Accused juvenile suspect; 15; ex-boyfriend of surviving daughter; arrested and charged in connection with the triple homicide.
Neighbors – Witnesses – Reported hearing gunshots, yelling, or sudden silence; statements remain under investigation.