Domestic violence-related homicides in Texas nearly doubled in past 10 years

The number of Texas women shot and killed by their intimate partners has nearly doubled since 2013.

That’s according to a recent report from the Texas Council on Family Violence, which reported that 205 victims of domestic violence were killed by their intimate partners in Texas last year. KERA found that about one in five victims lived in North Texas.

The majority of domestic violence-related homicides, both statewide and locally, were shootings. Experts say the presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation increases the risk of homicide by 500%.

Domestic abusers who are the subject of a protective order are prohibited from possessing firearms under state and federal law. But Tabetha Harrison, manager of coordinated community response at the Texas Council on Family Violence, said at least 20 abusers fell through the cracks last year — and it cost lives.

“They shouldn’t have had that gun in the first place,” Harrison said.

One of those authors was Devante Traylor of Dallas. Traylor, who shot and killed his 28-year-old girlfriend, Ra’Jean Jackson, was banned from possessing a firearm for assaulting his former partner, according to the Honoring Texas Victims 2023 report. Traylor was charged with murder for the murder of Jackson.

The Supreme Court upheld the law that prohibits people under protective orders from possessing firearms in its Rahimi ruling earlier this year, a case that originated in Arlington. But Texas does not have a statewide system for removing these guns once a protection order is issued, despite efforts in previous legislative sessions.

Molly Voyles, public policy director for the Texas Council on Family Violence, said the lack of accountability around guns and protection orders is a source of tension.

“Survivors know it’s forbidden, but they don’t really feel relieved by the implementation of this measure,” Voyles said.

Survivors who have taken steps to leave, including seeking a protection order, are also at greater risk. More than half of victims killed in 2023 had taken steps to stop the abuse, and 92 had separated from their abusive partners or ended their relationships, the report found.

Mariah Gardner, a domestic violence survivor from San Antonio, said she didn’t know how vulnerable she would be after leaving her abusive partner. Five months after their divorce in 2023, Gardner’s ex-husband shot her seven times and stabbed their two children with a knife. Her 11-month-old daughter Willow was killed, but Gardner and her older daughter survived.

Gardner’s harrowing story was not included in the Honoring Texas Victims Report. She said the report, while important, only captures a fraction of the impact of domestic violence.

“Because we survived, we weren’t included in the data,” she said. “So imagine how many lives were shattered, how many lives were destroyed, but they didn’t die. »

KERA News is made possible thanks to the generosity of our members. If you find these reports helpful, consider making a tax-deductible donation today. THANKS.

Do you have any advice? Email Caroline Love at [email protected].

Caroline Love is a Report for America corps member for KERA News.

KERA News is made possible thanks to the generosity of our members. If you find these reports useful, consider make a tax-deductible donation Today. THANKS.