On October 18, 2024, 33-year-old Granville Owen Dennis Jr. of Woodville, Texas, was fatally shot during a domestic altercation at a residence in the 2800 block of Holly Hill Drive near Silsbee. The Hardin County Sheriff's Office received a report of the shooting around 9:15 p.m. Upon arrival, deputies found Dennis deceased on the kitchen floor from a single gunshot wound to the right eye.
The primary suspect, 30-year-old Amy Sue Hammond of Silsbee, was present at the scene and taken into custody for questioning. According to the probable cause affidavit, Hammond reported that an argument with Dennis escalated into a physical confrontation involving pushing and shoving throughout the house. During the struggle, Dennis allegedly slipped and fell in the living room, where a .40 caliber pistol was on the floor nearby. Hammond claimed she retrieved the firearm and fired a warning shot, which missed. Dennis then reportedly gained control of the pistol and discharged it, nearly injuring himself. Hammond stated she managed to regain possession of the weapon and, while Dennis was seated on the kitchen floor, she fired again, fatally striking him in the eye.
Hammond was subsequently arrested and charged with murder. She was arraigned by Hardin County Justice of the Peace Melissa Minton, with bond set at $750,000. As of the latest reports, Hammond remains in custody at the Hardin County Jail. Detectives continue to process evidence collected at the scene to determine the precise circumstances leading to the shooting.
Dennis, born on May 15, 1991, in Lufkin, Texas, was a lifelong resident of Woodville and a longtime painter. He is remembered for his love of cooking, drawing, tattoo artistry, and spending time with family. He is survived by his mother, Martha Dennis; daughter, Annaliese Rose Mitchell; and several siblings. Funeral services were held on October 28, 2024, at Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home Chapel in Woodville, with burial following at Campground Cemetery.
This tragic incident has left the Woodville and Silsbee communities in mourning, as they grapple with the sudden loss of a young life and the serious legal implications for the accused. The ongoing investigation aims to provide clarity and justice for all parties involved.
