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Murder Weapon Belongs To Sheriff's Office
UPDATE 6:38 PM Murder Weapon Belongs To Sheriff's Office 9/5/12
Robert Guaderrama
rguaderrama@cbs7.com
September 5, 2012
GRANDFALLS, TX - A west Texas town is rocked after an early morning shooting that left two people dead and an 8-year-old girl injured. Neighbors say this was a terrible end to a violent relationship.
Crime scene tape, heavy law enforcement presence and a helicopter circling above. An unusual scene for the small town of Grandfalls. A town shocked by the news of a fatal shooting that left 30-year-old Christina Stafford and 31-year-old Travis Dewitt dead.
"They got to the trailer an found an open door and two bodies," said Sheriff Mikel Strickland, Ward County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff's officials tell us the suspect, 28-year-old Rodney Crawford and the female victim had a history together.
"Mr. Crawford had dated Ms. Stafford and they had broke it off apparently sometime around 1 o’ clock this morning he forced his was into the trailer," said Sheriff Strickland.
The ward county sheriff's office confirms the alleged shooter, is the son of a Sheriff's Deputy. They say he used his father's gun to kill the two victims and injure Stafford’s 8-year-old daughter who managed to escape.
"It belonged to the sheriff's office, it was his issued duty weapon, apparently he went into the residence while they were asleep and removed it," said Sheriff Strickland.
One Grandfalls resident we spoke to tells us Crawford has a reputation of being violent.
"We were in the parking lot late Thursday and there was an altercation between Rodney and Christina where he did threaten her and he was also take to jail sat night for domestic violence," said Sherri Whitlow, Grandfalls Resident.
Sheriff Mikel Strickland confirms Crawford has been arrested a few times before. He says the 8-year-old girl has been released from the hospital. Crawford did suffer a head injury, despite reports that it may have been a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Sheriff Strickland would not confirm that report. The investigation is ongoing.
Crawford is recovering from an injury to his head at Medical Center Hospital, we're told he will be transported to the Ector County Jail upon release.
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Update 12:42 P.M.
Medical Center Hospital tells CBS 7 News that Rodney Crawford, 28 years old of Grandfalls, is listed in critical condition at this time.
Update 10:30 A.M.
The following is a press release from the Ward County Sheriff:
On September 5, 2012 at 1:37 am the Sheriff's Office received a call in reference to shots being fired near 211 Ave. B in Grandfalls.
The incident had occurred at an RV park in the area.
Inside of a camping type trailer two bodies were discovered. Both had what appeared to be gunshot wounds.
The incident is still under investigation at this time.
A suspect, Rodney Crawford of Grandfalls, 28-years-old has been charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in connection with the incident.
He is currently a patient at Medical Center Hospital and will be transferred to Ector County Jail upon his release.
The victims were identified as Christina Stafford, 31-years-old of Grandfalls, and Travis Dewitt, 30-years-old of Royalty, TX.
A third victim, a 8-year-old female was treated and released from Ward Memorial Hospital in Monahans.
Both bodies will be sent for autopsies.
A joint investigation is being conducted by the Ward County Sheriff's Office, Texas Rangers and the 143rd District Attorney's Office.
Update: 8:55 A.M.
The Ward County Sheriff's Office tells CBS 7 News there has been a double homicide and is now working on a press release. We will update you when it comes down.
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CBS 7 News
September 5, 2012
Grandfalls Tx. - At this time CBS 7 is investigating a double murder in Grandfalls.
We have a crew on the scene of 4th street. Stay with CBS 7 News for more information as it becomes available.