Harris County, Texas

From Houston’s ABC13.com of April 11, 2006

Babysitter tries to come to defense of parents who were shot at

A father is killed and a mother hurt after a gunman started shooting at them as they returned home early Tuesday morning.

The couple's babysitter even got involved and came out shooting, trying to defend the family. This all happened on Rosbrook in northwest Harris County. Investigators say the couple was greeted by gunfire as they returned from a friend's house. By the time deputies got there the scene had become even more complicated.

Brandon Lettries, 29, and his wife Michelle, 24, were headed into their home when a man started shooting at them.

Relative Valencia Hart said, "They just called screaming on the phone saying they were getting out of the car and someone passed by shooting."

The couple's five children were inside the house. Lettries' brother had been watching the kids. When he heard the shots he ran outside and returned fire, striking the car of an innocent passerby. The couple inside wasn't injured.

Brandon Lettries died at LBJ Hospital. His wife was treated at Ben Taub Hospital.

When investigators arrived, there were so many shell casings it took a while to sort out the scene.

"There was multiple weapons and we're still trying to sort that out, as to who did what, but there was multiple rounds fired at this location," explained Sgt. James Parker with the Harris County Sheriff's office.

Authorities know some bullets came from the return fire from the brother's gun. But they also found casings from two additional guns which leads them to believe they are searching for two suspects.

Sgt. Parker said, "The suspect has fled the area and at this point the case is under investigation and the motive is unknown."

Michelle Lettries has been treated and released from Ben Taub Hospital. Prosecutors will determine if the brother who returned fire will face any charges or if he was acting in self-defense.