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Seth Bryan Carnes.
UPDATED at 3 p.m.
The Williamson County Sheriff's Office provided an updated statement about what the preliminary investigation revealed about the shooting Monday night.
At approximately 11:45 p.m. on January 8, Williamson County Emergency Communications received a 9-1-1 call reporting a shooting in the 300 block of County Road 317 outside the city limits of Georgetown.
Upon arriving at the scene, deputies allegedly encountered Seth B. Carnes, a 45-year-old white male, exiting the residence. According to the sheriff's office, Seth Carnes confessed to the deputies that he had just shot and killed his mother and father. The victims have been identified as Susan H. Carnes, a 74-year-old white female, and Alfred "Burt" Carnes, a 74-year-old white male, a retired former district judge in Williamson County. All are identified as residents of the home, according to the press release.
Seth Carnes was taken into custody and transported to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, where he has been charged with Capital Murder. He is currently being held without bond, according to jail records.
According to the sheriff's office, detectives discovered the bodies of Susan and Alfred Carnes, both having suffered fatal gunshot wounds upon entry into the home. The preliminary investigation suggests that the murders resulted from a disagreement, escalating into family violence and death.
The criminal prosecution has been referred to the District Attorney's Office. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, no further information is available at this time.
"This deeply distressing incident has sent shockwaves through our community, particularly considering Alfred "Burt" Carnes' esteemed position as a retired District Judge," Commander John Foster of the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family affected by this heartbreaking event.”
***Original Story***
Two were found dead in a home near Walburg after a 9-1-1 call reported a shooting in the 300 block of County Road 317 Monday evening. A suspect is in custody, according to a statement by the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.
The shooting took place at about 11:45 p.m. on Monday, January 8. County Road 317 is located just outside the northern edge of Georgetown’s city limits near Walburg and Zion Lutheran Cemetery.
Williamson County Sheriff Mike Gleason confirmed to the Sun Tuesday morning that the victims were former Williamson County district judge Burt Carnes and his wife.
“Upon arrival at the scene, sheriff deputies discovered two deceased subjects inside the residence,” the sheriff ’s office reported in the statement. “A suspect has been taken into custody.”
Sheriff’s office detectives were still on scene as of a Tuesday morning update. People are advised to avoid the area while the investigation continues. According to the sheriff’s office, there is no threat to public safety.
“We will provide more information about the incident as this is an active investigation,” the Wilco office said.