He shot and killed a young mother and wounded his ex. Now, he will pay the price.

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — Brittani Simmons, a 23-year-old mother, was having dinner with her neighbor when she was shot and killed in north Harris County in 2022. Her neighbor, Lioneicia Malveaux, was also shot and critically wounded but she survived. 

After a four-day trial, it took a Harris County jury just 16 minutes to convict Kentrell Obrien Brumfield of murder this week. On Wednesday, the judge sentenced him to life in prison. 

Editor's note: The above video originally aired in June 2022 after Brumfield was captured following a chase in Mississippi.

Brumfield, 36, had dated Malveaux but was charged with robbing and choking her in June 2022. He was out on bond for that attack when he broke into Malveaux's apartment on Hollow Tree Lane and shot both women. 

Neighbors reported hearing screams before the gunshots.

“This was such a senseless crime — neither of these women deserved to be shot — Brittani was just an innocent neighbor who was over for dinner,” Assistant District Attorney Lara Hogue said. “This was the right result because this defendant has shown that he is not just a danger to our community but to any community he is in.”

The day after the shootings, Brumfield was arrested by Mississippi state police after a chase and shootout, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.

He had previous convictions in Louisiana for domestic violence and a home invasion.

“Our office takes all allegations of domestic violence so seriously because we see, far too often, that it escalates to murder,”, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said. “And, sometimes, like in this horribly unfair and tragic case, a completely innocent bystander loses their life.”

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Resources for victims of domestic or family violence

Domestic and family violence cases in the Houston area have increased at an alarming rate. Victims often suffer in silence because they feel scared, helpless or ashamed. 

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, here are some discreet ways to reach out for help.

The Houston Area Women’s Center has a 24-hour hotline for victims of domestic violence at 713-528-2121 or 1-800-256-0551.

The Family Time Crisis Center can also be reached 24-hours a day at 281-446-2615.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741.

Or text LOVEIS to 22522.