SPRING, Texas — A tragic family shooting in north Harris County has ended with one woman dead and her stepdaughter facing serious criminal charges. Authorities report that 27-year-old Dakayla Dailey has been charged in connection with the death of her 69-year-old stepmother, Kathy Brown, inside their home on Hannover Forest Drive.
Law enforcement officials say deputies from the Harris County Constable’s Office were dispatched to the 21300 block of Hannover Forest Drive late Friday morning after multiple reports of gunfire in the area. Neighbors described hearing loud noises and immediately contacting authorities, prompting a swift response from deputies.
A worker who was servicing the backyard pool told investigators that he heard several gunshots coming from inside the residence around 10:45 a.m. He immediately called 911 to report the shooting, alerting emergency responders to the unfolding crisis.
Upon arriving at the home, deputies found two women inside the residence. Kathy Brown was discovered in the kitchen and pronounced deceased at the scene from apparent gunshot wounds. The younger woman, Dakayla Dailey, was detained without incident and later taken into custody.
Initial reports suggest that an argument may have erupted between the two women shortly before the shooting. Authorities indicate that Dailey became upset after learning that her stepmother did not have money, which may have triggered the fatal confrontation inside the home.
Captain Aaron Strain of the Constable’s Office confirmed that no one else was present in the house at the time of the shooting. The residence appeared to have been occupied only by the two women, and investigators are focusing on reconstructing the events leading up to the incident.
Dailey was formally booked into the Harris County Jail, where she now faces a murder charge. Authorities say she will remain in custody pending further legal proceedings, while investigators continue collecting evidence, including statements from neighbors and digital records related to the case.
Early reports initially suggested that the two women might have been a grandmother and granddaughter. However, Harris County officials later clarified that the relationship was actually that of stepmother and stepdaughter. Social media posts linked to Dailey, made just one day before the shooting, have drawn attention online due to their erratic and concerning nature. Officials have not confirmed whether these posts are directly connected to the motive.
The shooting has left the Spring community in shock. Neighbors described the area as quiet and family-oriented, expressing disbelief that such a violent incident could occur in their neighborhood. Many residents said the tragedy has shaken them, highlighting the devastating impact of violence within a family.
Authorities urge anyone struggling with family conflict, anger, or emotional distress to seek help before situations escalate into violence. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Division continues to investigate all aspects of the case, emphasizing that the investigation is ongoing and that anyone with information should come forward to assist law enforcement.