Ernest Starry, an 85-year-old male resident of Robstown, Texas, was tragically killed on July 27, 2018, in a shooting spree that claimed the lives of four other family members. Ernest Starry was residing in the Retama Manor Nursing Center when he was fatally shot by his son, Richard Starry, 60, who also killed Ernest's wife, Thelma Montalvo, 60, during the same incident. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and Richard Starry subsequently turned the gun on himself, committing suicide at the scene.
The tragic event unfolded when law enforcement officials responded to an active shooter situation at the nursing home. Upon arrival, they discovered the bodies of Ernest Starry, Thelma Montalvo, and Richard Starry. A gun was found near Richard's body, indicating that he was the perpetrator of the shootings. The investigation revealed that Richard Starry had a history of legal troubles, including an arrest in February 2017 for theft of property.
In addition to the nursing home shooting, police were alerted to another crime scene at a residence on West State Highway 44, where they found the bodies of Roel Mireles, 41, and Isaiah Starry, 13. Roel Mireles was Thelma Montalvo's son, and Isaiah Starry was Ernest Starry's grandson. Both victims had been fatally shot, and it is believed that these murders occurred prior to the nursing home incident. The Robstown Police Department, Nueces County Sheriff's Office, and Texas Rangers were involved in the investigation, which was later handed over to the Nueces County District Attorney for review.
The community of Robstown was left in shock and mourning following the tragic events. Local authorities and community leaders, including Robstown Mayor Mandy Barrera and District 43 State Representative Abel Herrero, expressed their condolences and support for the affected families. The Texas Department of Public Safety offered counseling services to those impacted by the tragedy. The investigation into the motive behind Richard Starry's actions remains ongoing, as authorities continue to seek answers and provide support to the grieving community.
