A Houston mother recounts being bound and tortured by her son, igniting a series of events leading to another son’s shooting as he sought help.
HOUSTON — A southwest Houston mother says she was bound, tortured and threatened by her own son for hours — a terrifying ordeal she says set off the chain of events that ended with another son being shot after desperately seeking help.
Shirley Jolivet spoke with KHOU 11, describing what she says happened inside her home the night before the shooting along Ingomar Way near Beltway 8.
“My whole body was bound. My whole mouth — everything — for six hours,” Jolivet said.
She said her son, whom she identified as Kenneth Jr., assaulted her and made chilling threats against the family.
“He said I’m going to die, Kenneth is going to die and Leon is going to die. Tonight. Tonight is the party,” she said.
Jolivet alleges the abuse escalated when she tried to get away.
“I tried to get away and it got worse. He took a big bottle of gin and put it in my eyes — they were burning — and he said, ‘Next time it’s going to be bleach,’” she said.
According to Jolivet, her other son, Leon, was attacked and then fled the home, going door-to-door in the neighborhood asking for help.
Ring doorbell video obtained by KHOU 11 shows a bloodied man — whom Jolivet identifies as Leon — frantically knocking and pleading with neighbors to call 911.
“Help me please! Help me please! Call 911, please!” the man can be heard saying in the video.
Neighbors did not open their doors, but called police.
Investigators say a second man — seen and heard in the video confronting the injured man — may be connected. Jolivet claims that man is Kenneth Jr.
The video later shows both men running away.
According to the Houston Police Department, Leon then went to another nearby home, where he forced his way inside.
“The resident saw him at the door — at that point, he kicked the door in, forced his way in — at which time the homeowner shot him multiple times,” said HPD Lt. J.P. Horelica.
Leon was taken to a hospital and is expected to survive.
Jolivet said she now fears for her family’s safety, worried Kenneth Jr. could return.
“I heard him telling his wife, ‘Let’s just take daddy and her to the country and kill them,’” she said.
Police have not publicly identified a suspect and said the investigation is ongoing. The homeowner who shot Leon is not currently facing any charges.
Jolivet said she is speaking out in hopes of getting help — and preventing further violence.
Got a news tip or story idea? Email us at newstips@khou.com or call 713-521-4310 and include your name and the best way to reach you.