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Woman Gunned Down By Ex-Boyfriend At Christmas Eve Birthday Party, Moments After Family Had Sung ‘Happy Birthday’ To Her
Carolee Taylor's friends and family were gathered in celebration when her ex Albert Simon barged in with two guns, according to authorities.
A Texas mother was shot to death by her ex-boyfriend immediately after family and friends sang “Happy Birthday” to her on Christmas Eve, authorities say.
Carolee Taylor was celebrating her 46th birthday along with approximately 15 loved ones at her uncle’s house in Houston when her ex, 52-year-old Albert Simon showed up, according to KTRK in Houston.
Taylor’s uncle Dominic Ortiz said Simon pulled up in front of his house and approached armed with a long-barreled firearm and a pistol. He then exclaimed, "I have a bone to pick," according to court documents obtained by KTRK.
Simon allegedly sneered at Ortiz, "Don't smile at me, motherf---er” before pushing Ortiz inside with the long-barrel gun. Simon then forced Taylor outside, telling her “You and I are going to talk,” according to the court documents.
Simon and Taylor went out on the home’s porch alone and soon after, five shots were fired. When Ortiz opened the door, he found his niece lying on the porch with multiple gunshot wounds.
“I went to this scene last night and couldn’t help but think that her final moments were spent happy celebrating her birthday with friends,” Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez tweeted on Christmas. He added that “she wore holiday festive attire” when she was killed.
Simon fled the scene immediately after the shooting and was on the run for four days, authorities say. He was found by deputies at Hermann Park in Houston on Dec. 28. Gonzales tweeted that “Simon made a sudden move” before one of the deputies shot him. He was allegedly trying to grab at a bag which contained a gun, bullets, and $10,000 in cash, KTRK reports. He died at a hospital the same day.
Taylor leaves behind a daughter Mya, who told investigators that Simon showed up at the home right after “Happy Birthday” was sung. Just hours before that, Simon allegedly sent Taylor threatening texts, including one that asked if she was “ready to party with Jesus tonight," according to court records obtained by KTRK.
Taylor broke up with Simon a week before her death. They reportedly dated for just a few months. While Simon was on the run after the shooting, he allegedly called a funeral home to discuss what he wanted done with his body.
Taylor’s family released a statement obtained by KTRK, which describes the slain mother as an “extraordinary woman” who “changed the life of everyone she met through her dynamic smile and personality. She was such a giving person and loved life to the fullest.”
