In a tragic incident that has shocked the Amarillo community, four individuals, including two children, were found dead at a residence over the weekend in what the Amarillo Police Department (APD) has described as a possible murder-suicide. The deaths occurred at a home in the 3600 block of Northeast 14th Avenue, and police are actively investigating the case to gather more details.
According to a statement from the Amarillo Police Department, officers were dispatched to the home following a 911 call from a concerned family member at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 7. Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered the bodies of two adults and two children inside the residence. The police department’s Homicide Unit was immediately called to investigate the deaths, which have left the neighborhood and wider Amarillo community in a state of shock.
Preliminary findings from the investigation suggest a murder-suicide, a conclusion supported by evidence gathered at the scene. Authorities have confirmed that the deceased include Jessica Rose Olmos, 33, her two children (whose names have not yet been released), and her husband, 42-year-old Jose David Olmos. Jessica and her children were found to have suffered multiple gunshot wounds, and investigators believe Jose David Olmos was responsible for their deaths before turning the gun on himself.
Police reports indicate that the mother and children were shot multiple times. Jessica Rose Olmos and the two children were pronounced dead at the scene, with police determining that their deaths were the result of gunshot wounds. While authorities have not yet revealed the ages of the two children, they are believed to have been young, compounding the tragedy for the Amarillo community.
The shooter, Jose David Olmos, was also found dead at the scene, and authorities suspect he committed suicide after fatally shooting his family members. A weapon, believed to be the firearm used in the killings, was recovered at the residence.
The exact motive behind the apparent murder-suicide remains unclear, but police are continuing to investigate, and more details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses. The APD has not released any further information regarding the family’s background or whether there were any previous signs of domestic issues.
Murder-suicides are particularly devastating, often leaving the community to grapple with a mix of grief, shock, and confusion. In the United States, nearly two-thirds of murder-suicide cases involve intimate partners, according to the Violence Policy Center (VPC). Such tragedies typically affect not only the immediate families involved but also friends, neighbors, and extended community members. The emotional impact of losing multiple family members, especially children, can lead to long-lasting psychological effects on those close to the victims.
Local authorities and community leaders have emphasized the importance of mental health support in the aftermath of such traumatic events. Counseling services are expected to be offered to neighbors, family members, and others affected by the tragic deaths.
In a city like Amarillo, which has a strong sense of community, events like these leave a deep scar. Residents living in the immediate vicinity of the tragedy expressed shock, noting that the neighborhood had always been considered safe and peaceful. Some neighbors who spoke anonymously described hearing gunshots but were unaware of the full scope of the incident until police arrived.
As the investigation continues, police are urging anyone with information that may shed light on the case to come forward. APD’s Homicide Unit has stated that while the evidence currently points to a murder-suicide, they are carefully examining all aspects of the incident to ensure no details are overlooked.
Police have not disclosed whether they had been called to the residence for any prior domestic disturbances, leaving questions about whether the family was previously known to authorities. The outcome of the investigation could take time, as investigators work to piece together the timeline of events and any possible contributing factors that led to the tragedy.
This incident comes at a time when the city of Amarillo, like many other parts of the United States, is grappling with issues related to gun violence and domestic violence. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), an average of nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the U.S., and the presence of a firearm in such situations increases the risk of homicide by 500%. While it is unclear what factors led to this particular tragedy, the broader context of domestic violence and access to firearms raises critical concerns for public safety.
The deaths of Jessica Rose Olmos, her two children, and Jose David Olmos have left Amarillo reeling from the heartbreak of yet another tragic instance of domestic violence. As the investigation unfolds, authorities are urging the community to remain vigilant and to seek help if they witness signs of domestic abuse or mental health struggles. This story is still developing, and additional details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.