On May 30, 1991, 10-year-old African American girl Shakeisha Lloyd was tragically murdered in Fort Worth, Texas, in a brutal attack that also claimed the lives of her two great-aunts, 83-year-old Zenobia Anderson and 76-year-old Caola Lloyd. The perpetrator, Edward Lagrone, had a prior conviction for murder and was on parole at the time. Lagrone had previously been in a relationship with Shakeisha's mother, Pamela Lloyd, and continued to visit the family after their breakup. Shakeisha had recently been discovered to be 17 weeks pregnant, and DNA evidence later confirmed Lagrone as the father.
In the early hours of that day, Lagrone forced his way into the Lloyd family home armed with a double-barreled shotgun. He shot Dempsey Lloyd, Shakeisha's uncle, who survived the attack. Lagrone then proceeded to fatally shoot Zenobia Anderson and Caola Lloyd. Shakeisha was killed while attempting to protect her 19-month-old sister by hiding her behind some boxes.
Following the murders, Lagrone was arrested and charged with capital murder. During the trial, DNA evidence conclusively linked him to the paternity of Shakeisha's unborn child. Witnesses, including surviving family members, identified Lagrone as the shooter. The jury found him guilty, and he was sentenced to death.
Edward Lagrone was executed by lethal injection on February 11, 2004, at the Huntsville Unit in Texas. In his final statement, he maintained his innocence but expressed no bitterness. Family members of the victims witnessed the execution, bringing a measure of closure to a devastating chapter in their lives.
