Brenym McDonald.Photo: GoFundMe
A Texas man is facing murder charges after allegedly stabbing his 8-year-old grandson to death, say authorities.
On Sunday at about 7:50 a.m., police responded to a call about a stabbing involving a juvenile victim at a home in the 3500 block of Labadie Drive in Richland Hills, west of Dallas, according to the Richland Hills Police Department.
Upon arrival, officers found an 8-year-old boy dead at the scene.
He was found in a bedroom of his grandfather’s home,Fox 4reports.
They found the suspect, Phillip Hughes, 62, who was identified as the boy’s grandfather, near the residence, police said in a statement.
The boy was identified as Brenym McDonald, according to aGoFundMeset up for his family, as well as Fox 4 and theFort Worth Star-Telegram.
The boy’s cause of death was sharp force injuries to his neck and chest, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner, Fox 4 reports.
Hughes was arrested and taken into police custody.
Phillip Hughes.
Police are investigating a motive for the slaying.
Hughes was taken to the Joint Detention Center at North Richland Hills where he is being held for capital murder while he awaits arraignment. It is unclear whether he has retained an attorney who can speak on his behalf.
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
“This is still an ongoing active investigation,” police said in the statement. “However, based on the initial investigation it is believed that no other suspects are involved.”
In aGoFundMeset up to help defray funeral costs, family friend Maddox Sullivan describes Brenym as “smart, enthusiastic, always smiling with the biggest heart.
“There wasn’t a single room he couldn’t light up with his smile, or a story he couldn’t tell you that would make you laugh.
Calling the boy’s death “a senseless tragedy,” the department expressed its condolences to his family and asked “for continued prayers for everyone involved.”
The boy and his parents were living temporarily with Hughes, the child’s great grandmother told Fox 4.
“Sadly, this was one our students,” the district said in a statement. “Campus staff have been processing this tragedy today and calling parents in the impacted grade level. We will have additional counselors on campus when students return.”
Anyone with information regarding this incident can contact the Richland Hills Police Department Detectives at 817-616-3788 or CID@richlandhills.com. Those who wish to remain anonymous can go to469tips.comor call 817-469-TIPS.
source: people.com
