On December 23, 2023, in Friendswood, Texas, 18-year-old Ethan Riley was fatally shot, and another individual, 19-year-old Benjamin Bliek, sustained critical injuries. The incident occurred at the residence of 17-year-old Connor Hilton, who was subsequently arrested and charged in connection with the shootings.
According to court documents, Hilton invited Riley and Bliek to his home, where he allegedly showed them a revolver. Without any apparent provocation, Hilton reportedly shot Riley in the head, followed by Bliek. A third individual present in the house called 911 from a bathroom after hearing the gunshots. Responding officers found Hilton visibly distraught outside the residence. He allegedly confessed to the shootings, stating that he had contemplated committing a homicide for a long time.
Initially, Hilton was charged with two counts of aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, with his bond set at $1 million. He was released on bond on December 24, 2023. Following Riley's death from his injuries, the charges against Hilton were upgraded to murder. He was re-arrested on December 25, 2023, and remained in custody at the Galveston County Jail.
In June 2024, a Galveston County grand jury formally indicted Hilton on charges of murder and aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury. His bond conditions included wearing a GPS monitoring device, residing at a specified address except for medical and legal appointments, surrendering his passport, abstaining from social media, and avoiding contact with the victims' families.
Hilton's defense attorneys have indicated that mental health issues will be a significant aspect of his defense, noting that he was undergoing therapy prior to the incident. As of December 2024, legal proceedings are ongoing, with Hilton awaiting trial for the charges related to the death of Ethan Riley and the injury of Benjamin Bliek.
