On January 21, 2024, a birthday party at a short-term rental on Russet Leaf Trace in the Katy area ended in a deadly shooting. Twenty-four-year-old Nicholas King, his girlfriend Ellesha Rice, 24, and the honoree, Michael Odobo, 24, were killed when an altercation escalated after an attendee, identified as 25-year-old Jaylon McIntyre, allegedly pointed a gun with a laser at a woman and took her phone. Odobo reportedly tried to intervene and was fatally shot; McIntyre then allegedly fired indiscriminately, and King and Rice were found together in the kitchen.

McIntyre was arrested and charged with capital murder in connection with King and Rice’s deaths and is being held without bond. King’s family remembered him as the family comedian with a very good, loving spirit. Rice had recently graduated from St. Mary’s University and planned to attend law school with hopes of becoming a judge.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit or Crime Stoppers of Houston.