Authorities in Brazos County, Texas are investigating a chilling double homicide after deputies say 32‑year‑old Ezekiel William Barajas fatally shot his mother and stepfather inside their home on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
📍 Incident Timeline
Deputies were dispatched just after 5 p.m. to the 6300 block of Steep Hollow Circle, off FM 1179, following a desperate 911 call from Nancy Winn, 52. In the call, Nancy told dispatchers she had been shot and identified her son, Ezekiel, as the shooter. She explained that he did not live at the residence and fled after opening fire.
According to the arrest report, Nancy said she and her husband, Gerald “Jerry” Winn, 61, were eating when Ezekiel suddenly shot them multiple times. She emphasized there had been no argument or physical altercation before the gunfire. Nancy placed the call from a locked bedroom at the back of the home.
About 15 minutes later, first responders entered the residence and found Nancy in the bedroom and Jerry in the hallway. Both were rushed to a hospital but later died from their injuries.
🔎 Suspect Detained
Less than an hour after the shooting, around 6 p.m., officers with the Bryan Police Department located Barajas in a Honda Accord at the drive‑thru of Raising Cane’s on Briarcrest Drive. He was detained by Bryan police and DPS troopers until Brazos County deputies arrived.
Investigators say Barajas refused to cooperate after being taken to headquarters, declining to answer questions or provide a motive. Deputies reported that the suspected murder weapon was recovered from the vehicle.
Barajas is being held in jail on charges of Capital Murder of Multiple Persons, with bond set at $300,000. Online jail records show only one prior arrest in 2018 for criminal trespass, a case that was later dismissed.
💔 Remembering Nancy and Jerry Winn
The Winns were deeply respected in the Brazos County community for their decades of work in mental health and substance abuse counseling. Together, they operated the 3rd Day Treatment Center, offering support and guidance to families and individuals struggling with addiction and behavioral health challenges.
They also contributed countless hours to NAMI Brazos Valley, a nonprofit dedicated to mental health advocacy.
On the center’s website, Jerry wrote:
“My one true concern is that I make a positive and healthy difference in the lives of those with whom I work.”
Nancy shared her passion for prevention, saying:
“I liked the idea of getting to kids before they started living unhealthy lifestyles, and providing them the skills of making healthy lifestyle choices instead.”
🕊️ Community Impact
The tragedy has left Brazos County reeling, with tributes pouring in for the Winns’ dedication to helping others. Their deaths mark a devastating loss for local families who relied on their compassion and expertise.
Authorities continue to investigate the case, searching for answers to what led to the sudden violence.
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