A suspected murderer in Texas who was fatally shot by police on Saturday allegedly sent his ex-girlfriend a threatening text message before killing her at her birthday party on Christmas Eve.
According to the Houston Chronicle, Harris County deputies found Albert Simon, 52, sitting on a bench in Hermann Park. Simon reportedly yelled for the deputies to shoot him and reached for a bag — prompting one of them to shoot him at least twice.
Wanted on murder charges, Simon was accused of fatally shooting Dawn Taylor, 46, on a porch during her birthday party. Simon was said to have interrupted the celebration and argued with guests before dragging his ex-girlfriend outside and shooting her multiple times.
Taylor’s adult daughter reportedly told police that Simon had sent Taylor a text asking if she was “ready to party with Jesus tonight?” KHOU reported that the message, which was sent the same day Simon shot Taylor, also included an image depicting Simon alongside an illustration of Jesus.
Reports indicated that Simon had served probation for a stalking incident that occurred in the ’90s.
After the fatal shooting, Simon reportedly messaged a friend and told them not to watch the news and asked to park his car in their garage. Simon said, “I killed her tonight,” and claimed he was angry because Taylor had “betrayed him,” according to the news station.
Simon died at the hospital after Saturday’s shooting. Police reportedly discovered a semi-automatic pistol in the bag Simon had reached for before his shooting death.
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[Featured image: Albert Benjamin Simon/Harris County Sheriff’s Office]
