PORT ARTHUR, Texas — The mother of man Port Arthur Police say fatally shot a mom of six and then wounded a man nearby is speaking out.
The body of Shekira Simpson, 31, of Port Arthur, was in the passenger seat of the car with Eric Ryan Martin, 38, when police in Lafayette, Louisiana arrested him on Monday night, Port Arthur Police Chief Tim Duriso told 12News.
He was initially arrested on an outstanding warrant.
Martin is currently in the Lafayette Parish Jail awaiting an extradition hearing before he can be brought back to Jefferson County, Duriso said.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Martin would be back in Texas on Wednesday.)
Martin's mom Gzele Clarke says the crime spree started at her house. She says her son has been dating Simpson for about three months.
Police say Martin fatally shot Simpson in the 2800 block of 15th St in Port Arthur Monday afternoon.
Clarke says the couple was visiting her that day when things took a turn for the worst.
"I was sitting inside watching TV and then I heard a pop like a firecracker, well I came outside, and Eric was pushing Shekira back in the car," Clarke said.
Clarke says her son drove off with Simpson in his car.
"That's when I noticed the blood on the driveway, and I called 911. They weren't arguing or anything. I just saw them both in the car," Clarke said.
Clarke says the couple visited her every weekend and she had even met most of Simpson's six kids.
"I feel bad for Shekira's family," Clarke said. "I am so sorry this happened and it's weighing heavy on me. I mean, I'm sorry."
Police haven't confirmed when exactly Simpson died.
Duriso says after shooting Simpson on 15th street, Martin drove about a mile to a location in the 1600 block of Vicksburg Ave and shot Leon Davis in the back.
"After the report of the shooting, we received information that he still had her in the car. Of course, we were frantic searching for the vehicle, and we put it out to local law enforcement agencies and our neighboring states," Duriso said.
Davis survived and is in stable condition according to police.
The chief says that description of Martin's vehicle helped police in Lafayette find him.
Martin is expected to be charged with murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
"My heart goes out to that family. Of course, my heart goes out to to the kids. It's a tragic situation that we would hope never would happen, but we're going to pursue this and make sure justice is served for the family," Duriso said.
Clarke struggles to understand why this would even happen.
"I think he had a mental break down. Something was on his mind," Clarke said. "He loves children. He tries to help everybody. This is out of character for him"
Jefferson County deputies and U.S. Marshals had planned to retrieve him from Louisiana on Wednesday but learned that he had not yet gone before a judge there.
Detectives with the Port Arthur Police Department's criminal investigations division are continuing to investigate.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
Monday shooting in Port Arthur
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