HOUSTON – The man suspected of shooting the two children of a woman he had a relationship with in an allegedly targeted attack has been taken into custody.
Willie Simpson III, 32, has been charged with three counts of aggravated assault of a family member, unlawful possession of a firearm and burglary with intent to commit murder.
The shooting happened last week on the evening of Sunday, July 27.
Deputies with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a shooting at an apartment complex located at 5730 Timber Creek Place around 8:30 p.m.
When they arrived, 12-year-old Katelynn Martin ran up to them, saying she had been shot in the abdomen. Moments later, they learned Katelynn’s brother, 19-year-old Devante Martin, had also been shot.
Both victims were transported to the hospital and have since been released. They are expected to survive.
Update: the two victims are possibly 12 yrs old (female) and 19 yrs old (male). Suspect(s) fled the scene.
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) July 28, 2025
If you have any information, contact us at 713-221-6000 or @CrimeStopHOU at 713-222-TIPS (8477). https://t.co/rshOXxNnev
According to court documents, Simpson showed up at the children’s apartment while their mother was not home.
After a phone conversation, Simpson became angered and told Katelynn and Devante he would shoot them if they didn’t go inside. They got up and rushed for the door, but Simpson chased them and fired at them as they ran, records say.
After they got inside, Devante realized he had been shot. The children also reportedly jumped off of the railing of their second-floor balcony to avoid Simpson. They eventually escaped.
Simpson was on the run for just under a week before being taken into custody. He is being held on a $1,050,000 total bond—$350,000 from each of the assault charges.
