2014 Harris County Shooting
Mass Familicide in Texas
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Spring, Texas
TIME PERIOD
July 9, 2014
VICTIMS
6 confirmed
On July 9, 2014, a mass shooting occurred at a residence in the Enchanted Oaks subdivision near Spring, Texas, resulting in the deaths of six family members, including four children, and leaving one survivor, a 15-year-old girl named Cassidy. The perpetrator, Ronald Lee Haskell, 34, entered the home disguised as a FedEx employee, tied up the victims, and executed them in a domestic dispute related to his ex-wife. Haskell fled the scene in the family's vehicle but was apprehended after a standoff with law enforcement. He was convicted of capital murder on six counts and sentenced to death in 2019. Significant evidence includes Cassidy's identification of Haskell and the ballistic evidence from the 9 mm caliber Springfield Armory XD semi-automatic pistol used in the crime.
Ronald Lee Haskell is believed to have been motivated by a domestic dispute related to his ex-wife, which led him to target her family. Some speculate that his actions were premeditated, as he arrived dressed as a FedEx employee to gain entry into the home. The brutal nature of the attack has led to discussions about the warning signs of domestic violence and the failures in the system to prevent such tragedies.
The 2014 Harris County Tragedy: A Chilling Familicide
On a seemingly ordinary July 9th in 2014, the quiet suburban enclave near Spring, Texas, part of the sprawling Greater Houston area, became the scene of a horrific mass shooting that left six family members dead and one teenage survivor. This tragic event, which unfolded in the confines of a family home, was executed by none other than Ronald Lee Haskell, a man connected to the victims through his ex-wife.
The Scene of the Crime
The grisly events took place at 711 Leaflet Lane, nestled in the Enchanted Oaks subdivision’s Section 3. It was here, in this unincorporated area just outside the bustling Spring census-designated place, that Haskell arrived under the guise of a FedEx employee. His mission was sinister: to find his ex-wife, whose sister's family lived in the home he targeted.
The door was answered by the 15-year-old daughter of the family, who did not recognize Haskell at first. He asked for her parents, but upon learning they were not home, he left, only to return shortly thereafter. This time, revealing himself as her ex-uncle, Haskell forced his way inside when the young girl attempted to shut the door. Once inside, he bound her and forced her to lie face-down. As her family returned, they too were subdued in the same manner.
A Brutal Execution
The events that followed were nothing short of a nightmare. Haskell, armed with a 9 mm caliber Springfield Armory XD semi-automatic pistol, demanded to know the whereabouts of his ex-wife. When the family could not provide information, he executed them in cold blood, shooting each one in the back of the head. In total, thirteen shots were fired within the home's walls.
Five members of the Stay family died instantly, and a child succumbed to injuries shortly after being rushed to the hospital. Miraculously, Cassidy Stay, the brave 15-year-old who initially answered the door, survived. She had cleverly raised her hand as the gun fired, causing the bullet to graze her head and finger, thus sparing her life. Playing dead, she waited until it was safe to alert authorities.
The Hunt for Haskell
With Cassidy's vital information, police quickly mobilized to confront Haskell at a second location. A high-speed chase ensued, involving two dozen patrol cars, that concluded at a cul-de-sac three miles from the crime scene. Here, police deployed a spike strip to disable Haskell's vehicle and block his escape with armored vehicles. A tense standoff unfolded as Haskell held a pistol to his head, communicating with officers via cellphone. After three nerve-wracking hours, Haskell surrendered without further violence.
The Victims
The tragedy claimed the lives of Stephen Robert Stay, 39, his wife Katie Stay, 33, and their four children—Bryan, 13, Emily, 9, Rebecca, 6, and Zachary, 4. The family had relocated to the Houston area from California in 2012. Stephen ran a real estate business, and two of the children attended Lemm Elementary School, while the eldest was enrolled at Schindewolf Intermediate School.
Cassidy Stay emerged as a hero, not only surviving the ordeal but providing crucial information that led to Haskell's capture. Her bravery earned widespread public admiration, with a GoFundMe campaign raising over $406,000 from more than 16,000 donors to support her recovery.
Ronald Lee Haskell: The Perpetrator
Born on August 26, 1980, Ronald Lee Haskell Jr. was no stranger to conflict. Raised in San Marcos, California, he later lived in Eagle River, Alaska, and graduated from Chugiak High School in 1999. Haskell, who had worked as a parcel delivery driver, married Melannie Kaye Lyon in 2002, and the couple eventually settled in Logan, Utah. However, their marriage dissolved amid allegations of domestic violence, and Melannie moved to Houston with the assistance of her sister, Katie Stay.
Haskell had a history of violence, having previously faced domestic assault charges. In 2008, he was charged with domestic violence after a dispute with his wife but managed to evade severe punishment through a plea deal. By July 2013, a protective order was filed against him, but it was later dismissed when mutual restraining orders were agreed upon in their divorce and custody arrangements.
Just a week before the shooting, Haskell's mother reported a violent altercation where he allegedly tied her up and threatened to kill his family. Despite efforts by deputies to locate him, Haskell remained elusive until his arrest for the shootings in Texas.
Legal Proceedings
In the early hours of July 10, 2014, Haskell faced charges of capital murder on six counts. His initial court appearance on July 11 was marked by dramatic collapses, necessitating his removal in a wheelchair. The trial eventually commenced in August 2019, culminating in Haskell being found guilty of capital murder on September 26. He was sentenced to death by lethal injection on October 11 and now awaits execution on death row at the Allan B. Polunsky Unit near Livingston.
Aftermath
The community mourned the tragic loss of the Stay family. A funeral service was held at the Hafer Road chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with a memorial at Lemm Elementary. Cassidy Stay's resilience and courage in the face of unspeakable horror remain a testament to the human spirit's strength in times of profound adversity.
Sources
For further reading and original article, visit the Wikipedia page: 2014 Harris County Shooting
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Mass Shooting Occurs
Ronald Lee Haskell shoots six family members execution-style in a domestic dispute.
Survivor Identifies Shooter
15-year-old Cassidy Stay survives the shooting and identifies Haskell as the gunman.
Haskell Apprehended
After a standoff, Haskell surrenders to police following a chase.
Charges Filed
Haskell is charged with six counts of capital murder.
First Court Appearance
Haskell appears in court for the first time, collapsing during the proceedings.
Guilty Verdict
Haskell is found guilty of capital murder for the shooting.
Sentenced to Death
Haskell is sentenced to death by lethal injection.
On July 9, 2014, a mass shooting occurred at a residence in the Enchanted Oaks subdivision near Spring, Texas, resulting in the deaths of six family members, including four children, and leaving one survivor, a 15-year-old girl named Cassidy. The perpetrator, Ronald Lee Haskell, 34, entered the home disguised as a FedEx employee, tied up the victims, and executed them in a domestic dispute related to his ex-wife. Haskell fled the scene in the family's vehicle but was apprehended after a standoff with law enforcement. He was convicted of capital murder on six counts and sentenced to death in 2019. Significant evidence includes Cassidy's identification of Haskell and the ballistic evidence from the 9 mm caliber Springfield Armory XD semi-automatic pistol used in the crime.
Ronald Lee Haskell is believed to have been motivated by a domestic dispute related to his ex-wife, which led him to target her family. Some speculate that his actions were premeditated, as he arrived dressed as a FedEx employee to gain entry into the home. The brutal nature of the attack has led to discussions about the warning signs of domestic violence and the failures in the system to prevent such tragedies.
The 2014 Harris County Tragedy: A Chilling Familicide
On a seemingly ordinary July 9th in 2014, the quiet suburban enclave near Spring, Texas, part of the sprawling Greater Houston area, became the scene of a horrific mass shooting that left six family members dead and one teenage survivor. This tragic event, which unfolded in the confines of a family home, was executed by none other than Ronald Lee Haskell, a man connected to the victims through his ex-wife.
The Scene of the Crime
The grisly events took place at 711 Leaflet Lane, nestled in the Enchanted Oaks subdivision’s Section 3. It was here, in this unincorporated area just outside the bustling Spring census-designated place, that Haskell arrived under the guise of a FedEx employee. His mission was sinister: to find his ex-wife, whose sister's family lived in the home he targeted.
The door was answered by the 15-year-old daughter of the family, who did not recognize Haskell at first. He asked for her parents, but upon learning they were not home, he left, only to return shortly thereafter. This time, revealing himself as her ex-uncle, Haskell forced his way inside when the young girl attempted to shut the door. Once inside, he bound her and forced her to lie face-down. As her family returned, they too were subdued in the same manner.
A Brutal Execution
The events that followed were nothing short of a nightmare. Haskell, armed with a 9 mm caliber Springfield Armory XD semi-automatic pistol, demanded to know the whereabouts of his ex-wife. When the family could not provide information, he executed them in cold blood, shooting each one in the back of the head. In total, thirteen shots were fired within the home's walls.
Five members of the Stay family died instantly, and a child succumbed to injuries shortly after being rushed to the hospital. Miraculously, Cassidy Stay, the brave 15-year-old who initially answered the door, survived. She had cleverly raised her hand as the gun fired, causing the bullet to graze her head and finger, thus sparing her life. Playing dead, she waited until it was safe to alert authorities.
The Hunt for Haskell
With Cassidy's vital information, police quickly mobilized to confront Haskell at a second location. A high-speed chase ensued, involving two dozen patrol cars, that concluded at a cul-de-sac three miles from the crime scene. Here, police deployed a spike strip to disable Haskell's vehicle and block his escape with armored vehicles. A tense standoff unfolded as Haskell held a pistol to his head, communicating with officers via cellphone. After three nerve-wracking hours, Haskell surrendered without further violence.
The Victims
The tragedy claimed the lives of Stephen Robert Stay, 39, his wife Katie Stay, 33, and their four children—Bryan, 13, Emily, 9, Rebecca, 6, and Zachary, 4. The family had relocated to the Houston area from California in 2012. Stephen ran a real estate business, and two of the children attended Lemm Elementary School, while the eldest was enrolled at Schindewolf Intermediate School.
Cassidy Stay emerged as a hero, not only surviving the ordeal but providing crucial information that led to Haskell's capture. Her bravery earned widespread public admiration, with a GoFundMe campaign raising over $406,000 from more than 16,000 donors to support her recovery.
Ronald Lee Haskell: The Perpetrator
Born on August 26, 1980, Ronald Lee Haskell Jr. was no stranger to conflict. Raised in San Marcos, California, he later lived in Eagle River, Alaska, and graduated from Chugiak High School in 1999. Haskell, who had worked as a parcel delivery driver, married Melannie Kaye Lyon in 2002, and the couple eventually settled in Logan, Utah. However, their marriage dissolved amid allegations of domestic violence, and Melannie moved to Houston with the assistance of her sister, Katie Stay.
Haskell had a history of violence, having previously faced domestic assault charges. In 2008, he was charged with domestic violence after a dispute with his wife but managed to evade severe punishment through a plea deal. By July 2013, a protective order was filed against him, but it was later dismissed when mutual restraining orders were agreed upon in their divorce and custody arrangements.
Just a week before the shooting, Haskell's mother reported a violent altercation where he allegedly tied her up and threatened to kill his family. Despite efforts by deputies to locate him, Haskell remained elusive until his arrest for the shootings in Texas.
Legal Proceedings
In the early hours of July 10, 2014, Haskell faced charges of capital murder on six counts. His initial court appearance on July 11 was marked by dramatic collapses, necessitating his removal in a wheelchair. The trial eventually commenced in August 2019, culminating in Haskell being found guilty of capital murder on September 26. He was sentenced to death by lethal injection on October 11 and now awaits execution on death row at the Allan B. Polunsky Unit near Livingston.
Aftermath
The community mourned the tragic loss of the Stay family. A funeral service was held at the Hafer Road chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with a memorial at Lemm Elementary. Cassidy Stay's resilience and courage in the face of unspeakable horror remain a testament to the human spirit's strength in times of profound adversity.
Sources
For further reading and original article, visit the Wikipedia page: 2014 Harris County Shooting
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Mass Shooting Occurs
Ronald Lee Haskell shoots six family members execution-style in a domestic dispute.
Survivor Identifies Shooter
15-year-old Cassidy Stay survives the shooting and identifies Haskell as the gunman.
Haskell Apprehended
After a standoff, Haskell surrenders to police following a chase.
Charges Filed
Haskell is charged with six counts of capital murder.
First Court Appearance
Haskell appears in court for the first time, collapsing during the proceedings.
Guilty Verdict
Haskell is found guilty of capital murder for the shooting.
Sentenced to Death
Haskell is sentenced to death by lethal injection.