In the late summer of 2026, the small town of Morton, Texas, was shaken by a violent act that claimed the lives of two teenagers. On Sunday, August 30, 19-year-old Deven Ponce and 18-year-old Noah Ornelas were fatally shot in an incident that occurred in the early morning hours. The shooting took place at approximately 3:51 a.m. in the 800 block of Fillmore Avenue, prompting an immediate response from the Cochran County Sheriff's Office.
The Texas Department of Public Safety was called in to assist with the investigation, which soon pointed to a single suspect. Authorities identified 18-year-old Tanane Brackens as the individual allegedly responsible for the deaths of Ponce and Ornelas. Brackens was subsequently arrested in connection with the double homicide. Following the arrest, the Texas Rangers took the lead in the ongoing homicide investigation, working to piece together the events that led to the tragic loss of two young lives.
Law enforcement officials characterized the shooting as an isolated incident and assured the community that there was no further threat to public safety. While an arrest was made swiftly, the details surrounding the motive for the shooting have not been publicly released. As of early September 2026, the investigation into the deaths of Deven Ponce and Noah Ornelas was still active. Information regarding any formal charges, trial dates, or potential conviction and sentencing for Tanane Brackens has not been made available, leaving the case unresolved in the public record.
