49-year-old suspect allegedly shot at deputies before standoff ensued 
 
 The Harris County Sheriff's Office says a man has surrendered after five kids and three adults were found dead at a home late Saturday evening. Around 9 p.m. deputies were called to a home at 2211 Falling Oaks, not far from Veterans Memorial and Fallbrook Drive, to perform a welfare check. (Photo: KHOU 11) 
 
 HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – David Conley, 49, told Harris County Sheriff's investigators that he broke into his former home and killed eight people, according to a Harris County prosecutor. 
 
 Investigators said Conley admitted to breaking into the home through an open window after the woman he formerly lived with, Valerie Jackson,40, changed the locks on the doors. 
 
 Conley told investigators that he restrained eight people inside with metal handcuffs, including Jackson and shot them in the back of the head. 
 
 The identities of the victims were released in a press conference Sunday afternoon. They include, Valerie Jackson, her husband Dwayne Jackson, 50, Dwayne Jackson, Jr., 10, Nathaniel Jackson, 13, Honesty Jackson, 11, Caleb Jackson, 9, Trinity Jackson, 7, and Jonah Jackson, 6. 
 
 Nathaniel Jackson was apparently the son of Conley and Valerie Jackson. 
 
 Doctors at the scene of the 2200 block of Falling Oaks, near Veterans Memorial and Fallbrook Drive, said all eight victims suffered gunshot wounds to the head and died at the scene, the prosecutor noted. 
 
 Conley, who didn't appear in court, has been charged with three counts of capital murder and had bond denied--one capital murder count covers multiple deaths, another is for a person under 6 years old, according to court records. He was wanted on a warrant assault on a family member and is now being held in the Harris County Jail. 
 
 Conley was arrested Saturday evening after a standoff with police in the 2200 block of Falling Oaks, not far from Veterans Memorial and Fallbrook Drive, after Harris County Sheriff's deputies responded to the home for a welfare check. 
 
 After the standoff, deputies found the six children and two adults dead inside the home. 
 
 Chief deputy Tim Cannon said Sunday the incident is a tragedy with which the community is all too familiar. 
 
 "We're here today on a very sad day," Cannon said. "We're here with our brothers in arms standing behind us because we're all hurting. It's a difficult day for us at the sheriff's office. Once again, a tragedy has struck…our city. Our hearts go out to those…affected by this tragedy." 
 
 HCSO Spokesman Thomas Gilliland said when deputies arrived around 9 p.m., no one responded at the front door. They then received more information that indicated a man in the home was wanted on a warrant. 
 
 David Conley's mugshot from 2013. (Photo: DPS) 
 
 The sergeant on the scene called for a High Risk Operations Unit, similar to SWAT, to help make entry and investigate. While the call was being placed, deputies surrounded the home, and they spotted the body of a juvenile through a window. 
 
 At that point, the sergeant and three deputies forced their way in, and Conley began shooting, the sheriff's office says. Deputies pulled back and waited for the HROU and a negotiator to arrive. 
 
 Authorities established contact with the Conley, and after more than an hour he came outside and surrendered without further incident. 
 
 The bodies of eight people were found in the home, Gilliland said. 
 
 Photos: Suspect taken into custody after kids, adults found killed 
 
 "At this time we have what appears to be five children and three adults," said Gilliland. "Ages and genders we do not have, and cause of death we do not have. The medical examiner will have to determine a cause of death." 
 
 Deputies said they have received calls at the home before and Child Protective Services said the family did have a history with them. 
 
 Neighbors woke up Sunday morning in disbelief about the tragic scene nearby. 
 
 "It gives me goosebumps." Neighbor describes what it was like hearing 8 people died in home on Falling Oaks #KHOU11pic.twitter.com/fF6WWtG4rw — Grace White (@GraceWhiteKHOU) August 9, 2015 
 
 "I cannot believe it," said Adela Ramirez. "I am in horrific shock." 
 
 Dalila Mercado says she heard gunshots Saturday and later saw deputies blocking off the area. 
 
 "It was shocking. I haven't slept all night," she said. 
 
 Mercado said she could still see from her bedroom window and watched as a man was escorted out of the house after midnight. She said officials then had him next to her fence, taking fingerprints and photographs. 
 
 Neighbors of the eight victims shot and killed inside a home in Harris County spoke with KHOU 11 News about the horrific scene Saturday night. KHOU 
 
 Gilliland said it's equally difficult of deputies. 
 
 "It's a hard job being a patrolman in this town, and our deputies do a yeoman's job every day, but when they're forced to see some of the most horrific things along this nature, especially of children, and someone so callous could do something like this to children - we have our family assistance coming out to talk to our deputies and help them decompress," said Gilliland. 
 
 Loved ones of the victims have set up a GoFundMe account to help with funeral expenses. Donations can be made here. 
 
 The Associated Press contributed to this report. 
 
 Read or Share this story: http://on.khou.com/1NiUTSw 

 CLOSE Neighbors are at a loss for words after a family was killed inside their Houston home. Police say David Conley shot and killed all 8 people inside his former home, including 6 children. VPC 
 
 David Conley's mugshot from 2013. (Photo: DPS) 
 
 HOUSTON — David Conley told Harris County Sheriff's investigators that he broke into his former home and killed eight people because the woman he formerly lived with had changed the locks on the doors, according to a Harris County prosecutor. 
 
 During probable cause court Sunday, a prosecutor recounted Conley's statement to investigators that he broke into the home Saturday through an open window after Valerie Jackson changed the locks. Assistant District Attorney Celeste Byrom went on to say Conley, 48, then told investigators that he restrained eight people with handcuffs, including Jackson and a 6-year-old boy, and shot them in the back of the head. 
 
 Doctors at the scene of the 2200 block of Falling Oaks, near Veterans Memorial and Fallbrook Drive, said all eight victims suffered gunshot wounds to the head and died at the scene. 
 
 Conley, who didn't appear in court, has been charged with three counts of capital murder and had bond denied. He's being held in the Harris County Jail. 
 
 The dead were identified as parents Dewayne Jackson, 50, his wife Valerie Jackson, 40, and children Nathaniel, 13, Dewayne, 10, Honesty, 11, Caleb, 9, Trinity, 7, and Jonah, 6. Nathaniel was believed to be Conley's son from the relationship with Valerie Jackson. The Harris County Sheriff's Office had earlier said that there were three adults and five children killed. 
 
 "We do not — cannot — fully comprehend the motivation of an individual that would take the lives of so many innocent people. Especially the lives of the youngest," said Chief Deputy Tim Cannon of the Harris County Sheriff's Office. "The killer's motives appear to be related to a dispute with Valerie, who was a former domestic partner." 
 
 At a news conference Sunday afternoon, Cannon said the incident is a tragedy with which the community is all too familiar. 
 
 "We're here today on a very sad day," Cannon said. "We're here with our brothers in arms standing behind us because we're all hurting. It's a difficult day for us at the sheriff's office. Once again, a tragedy has struck … our city. Our hearts go out to those … affected by this tragedy." 
 
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 Conley has an extensive criminal history that dates back to 1988, including incidents of family violence, drugs and driving while under the influence. 
 
 Conley was recently charged with assaulting a family member — his second such charge — July 8 when he allegedly pushed his girlfriend's head against a refrigerator multiple times, according to court documents. Conley reportedly told his girlfriend to discipline her 10-year-old son because he returned home from a park after dark. When she said no, Conley reportedly got a belt and said he would do it himself, court documents said. His girlfriend then reportedly grabbed the belt out of Conley's hands and that's when he allegedly pushed her head against the refrigerator. 
 
 In 2013, Conley was charged and convicted of aggravated assault of a family member when he threatened this same girlfriend with a knife. An emergency protective order and a no contact order was issued against Conley, court reports show, and he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to nine months in county jail. 
 
 Deputies called to perform a welfare check Saturday evening got no response at the door to the home when they arrived, Harris County Sheriff's Office spokesman Thomas Gilliland said. Officers then received more information that indicated a man in the home was wanted on a warrant for aggravated assault on a family member. 
 
 The sergeant on the scene called for a High Risk Operations Unit, similar to SWAT, to help make entry and investigate. While the call was being placed, deputies surrounded the home and spotted the body of a juvenile through a window. 
 
 At that point, the four deputies on scene forced their way in, and the male suspect inside began shooting, the sheriff's office said. Deputies pulled back and waited for the HROU to arrive. 
 
 CLOSE Five children were among eight people found shot to death in a Harris County, Texas home. Authorities discovered the bodies and suspect during a welfare check. VPC 
 
 After more than an hour the man, later identified as Conley, came outside and surrendered. 
 
 The bodies of eight people were found in the home. 
 
 Neighbors were in disbelief Sunday. 
 
 "I cannot believe it," said Adela Ramirez. "I am in horrific shock." 
 
 Family assistance counselors were helping the deputies who answered the call "decompress," Gillilland said. 
 
 "It's a hard job being a patrolman in this town, and our deputies do a yeoman's job every day," Gilliland said. He added that counseling is important "when someone so callous could do something like this to children." 
 
 Contributing: The Associated Press 
 
 Read or Share this story: http://usat.ly/1T8het7 

 Suspect charged with capital murder in death of 6 children, 2 adults 
 
 Flowers, balloons, and candles have been placed on the door step of the house where eight people were killed Sunday, Aug. 9, 2015, in Houston. Flowers, balloons, and candles have been placed on the door step of the house where eight people were killed Sunday, Aug. 9, 2015, in Houston. Photo: Cody Duty Photo: Cody Duty Image 1 of / 97 Caption Close Suspect charged with capital murder in death of 6 children, 2 adults 1 / 97 Back to Gallery 
 
 Earl Yanske heard early Saturday morning that his sister's ex-boyfriend was at her house, armed and angry. 
 
 Relatives called the Harris County's Sheriff's Office, asking them to go by the house in northwest Harris County to see if she was OK. 
 
 Hours passed. 
 
 Sick with worry and stuck in Montana, Yanske dialed David Ray Conley's cell phone number. He didn't pick up. His sister, Valerie Jackson, had two children with Conley, but feared him. She'd taken him back over the years, even after telling police he'd cut her and wrapping an electrical cord around her baby's neck. She'd changed the locks in July, after telling deputies he went after her 10-year-old with a belt. 
 
 Around 11 p.m., Yanske's cell phone rang. It was Conley. 
 
 "I need to ask you a question," Yanske said. "Did you kill my sister?" 
 
 Conley's voice was flat. 
 
 "He said, 'Yes I did.' It was like me asking if he went to the grocery store and he said, 'Yeah.' There was totally no emotion in his voice." 
 
 Conley, 48, surrendered to sheriff's deputies late Saturday night after a standoff outside the three-bedroom house on Falling Oaks. Authorities said he had broken in through a window, armed and with handcuffs, and methodically shot Valerie Jackson, her husband and six children, including his own son, one by one in the head. All eight died in the house. 
 
 Given the couple's history, Yanske said "they should have kicked down that door instantly. " 
 
 Chief Deputy Tim Cannon said deputies went to the house three times Saturday, starting in the morning. Nothing was amiss. They came back in the afternoon. "They did not have enough information at that time to make a forced entry," he said. 
 
 On the last check around9 p.m., they spotted a body through a window. Three officers and a sergeant tried to go inside, but Conley allegedly shot at them. 
 
 Conley was charged Sunday with multiple counts of capital murder and held without bail. Authorities identified the dead as Jonah Jackson, 6; Trinity Jackson, 7; Caleb Jackson, 9; Dwayne Jackson Jr., 10; Honesty Jackson, 11; Nathaniel Conley, 13; and Dwayne Jackson, 50. 
 
 Family had CPS involvement 
 
 Texas Department of Family and Protective Services spokesman Patrick Crimmins said a preliminary review found the family had "previous CPS involvement." He said officials had started to "evaluate any prior contacts with the family to ensure they were handled appropriately." 
 
 Dalila Mercado, who has lived in the neighborhood for six years, said the children often ran around outside unsupervised, the toddlers without diapers. 
 
 On Sunday, detectives were still trying to determine if Valerie Jackson, 40, had ever officially married Dwayne Jackson or Conley, and piece together their long and at times violent history. 
 
 Conley, short and stocky, met Valerie online at least 15 years ago, relatives and friends said. By then, he already had a rap sheet that included auto theft, cocaine possession and evading arrest, court records show. 
 
 A few weeks before Christmas in 2000, Valerie told police Conley shoved her onto a bed at her Houston apartment and straddled her with a knife to her throat. Conley said he was not going back to prison because of her, a Houston police officer wrote in his report. Conley cut her neck and punched her in the face, she told police, and then wrapped a cord about the baby's neck. He was sentenced to five years in prison, records show. 
 
 Valerie went back and forth between Conley and Jackson, a longtime family friend, Yanske said. Her first two children were with Conley, then she had five with Jackson. 
 
 Conley was very jealous of Dwayne Jackson, who was always trying to get back together with the mother of his children. At some point, Conley struggled with bipolar disorder, Yanske said. 
 
 "He'd be in a very happy mood one moment, then the next moment go off," Yanske said. "He was always very controlling and wouldn't let Valerie go out." 
 
 And he was a strict disciplinarian, Yanske said, sometimes too much so, "taking it too far with belts." Still, his sister would return to Conley time and again. "She stayed with him because she was scared," he said. 
 
 Conley was charged with disorderly conduct in Wisconsin in October 2008 and pleaded guilty. Weeks later, a judge there granted a temporary restraining order against Conley. It was dismissed in 2012, after the court received a letter from Valerie asking to drop the injunction, the records show. 
 
 2013 violent incident 
 
 A Harris County judge issued an emergency protective order to keep Conley away from Valerie in April 2013 after he was accused of threatening her with a knife. 
 
 Days after he was sentenced, she posted on Facebook that Conley was "the best father in the whole world, my baby, my best friend, my forever. You have always put me and our kids ahead of yourself and always take care of home." 
 
 Then in May 2014, she posted a card to Facebook, saying, "Someday you'll meet a man and he'll sweep you off your feet and he'll promise you the world. You just punch that lying bastard as hard as you can and run, baby!" 
 
 The breaking point came last month, after her 10-year-old son came home from the park after dark on July 6 and Conley went for the belt. She told deputies that Conley said if she didn't discipline the boy, he would. She said she reached for the belt and he smashed her head against the refrigerator. They issued a warrant for Conley. She changed the locks. 
 
 When exactly Conley slipped into the house is unclear. The bodies were found in three bedrooms, authorities said. 
 
 Nate, the eldest of the six children killed, was an outgoing sports nut who loved horror movies, Yanske said. Honesty was a mother hen, quiet but compassionate. Dwayne was a skateboarder and a stand-up comic who loved making people laugh. Caleb was a computer geek, smart and intuitive who liked to figure out how things work. Trinity was the princess. Jonah, the baby, was "the best cuddle bug ever," Yanske said. "He just wanted to curl up and be held." 
 
 Lauren Caruba contributed to this report
– Police in Houston say they can't "fully comprehend the motivation" of a man who allegedly slaughtered eight people in their home on Saturday, but David Conley has told them that he did it because his ex-girlfriend, Valerie Jackson, changed the locks. The victims have been identified as Jackson, her husband Dewayne, and children Nathaniel, 13; Honesty, 11; Dewayne, 10; Caleb, 9; Trinity, 7; and Jonah, 6. Police say Conley has told them he broke in and handcuffed the victims before shooting them in the head, KHOU reports. At least one of the children, Nathaniel, is believed to be Conley's. It's not clear when the pair split up, but Conley was charged with assault last month after allegedly attacking Jackson and threatening to beat one of her sons with a belt, reports USA Today. Court records show that Conley, 48, has a criminal record going back to 1988 and has served time in prison at least twice for attacks on Jackson, including a 2000 assault in which he cut her neck and wrapped a rope around her baby's throat, the Houston Chronicle reports. Her brother tells the Chronicle that police were called Saturday morning after Conley arrived at the home "armed and angry," and that they should have "kicked down that door instantly" given the couple's history. Instead, police say they saw nothing amiss during three welfare checks, but they arrested Conley after a standoff when they saw a body through a window at around 9pm. He has been charged with multiple counts of capital murder and is being held without bail.