KILLEEN, Texas — Friends are speaking out after a double homicide in Killeen on Friday, Dec. 8.
Tina McGruder and her mother Deanne McGruder were shot and killed inside a residence in Killeen. Louis Lamar Simpson Jr., is now charged with capital murder in the crime. Sources who knew Tina and police records obtained by 6 News identify Simpson Jr. as Tina's son and Deanne's grandson.
Now, those who knew the victims are remembering them.
Tina McGruder served two decades in the United States Army. Ten months before the crime, she began her second career as a counselor. Her social media says she graduated with her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Texas A&M-Central Texas.
6 News spoke to Dr. Brandy Mounts and Lupe Garcia of Alliance Counseling Works. Both spoke high praises of McGruder.
"She was a caring, a very caring person. Very loving," said Garcia, "I know for a fact that people loved her. That she, again, that she was very caring and very emotional."
Mounts, who hired Tina, spoke to why that was such a great decision.
"She is not afraid to take on any challenge. She has had amazing communication skills and empathy for clients and was really there for the right reasons," said Mounts, "And she wanted to give back to the community, so in every way she was always looking for ways to give back to her community."
Simpson is currently being held in the Bell County Jail on a $3 million bond.
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