On December 9, 2025, around 5:45 p.m., Odessa Police responded to gunfire reports at the Eighty Seventh Apartments on 8740 Hunter Miller Way, discovering 39-year-old Jessica Rodriguez and her children, 13-year-old Kylie and 9-year-old Jacob, deceased from multiple gunshot wounds inside their unit.
The attack stemmed from a recent breakup, with a 15-year-old boy, the ex-boyfriend of Rodriguez’s 15-year-old daughter, initially planning to shoot her at school but redirecting to their home instead. He entered uninvited, fatally shooting Rodriguez and the siblings before fleeing on foot; a handgun was recovered, and he was detained 40 minutes later on Andrews Highway.
Jessica Rodriguez, a dedicated mother in Odessa’s North Side, balanced family life with local service roles that supported her household’s needs amid the Permian Basin’s demanding pace. Originally from the area, she instilled resilience in her children through everyday routines, her quiet strength evident in community ties that anchored their apartment home.
As a single mother post-divorce from Roy Casey Martinez, Jessica fostered deep bonds with her children, prioritizing their school activities and shared evenings that built unbreakable family unity. Martinez, the children’s father, launched a GoFundMe to cover funeral costs, describing the unimaginable loss of his son, daughter, and ex-wife in a post that underscored their dynamic. Her devotion extended to ensuring her eldest daughter’s safety, unaware of the brewing threat from the breakup.
Jessica’s lifestyle wove practical workdays with joyful family outings, like weekend picnics in Odessa’s parks that sparked laughter among her kids. She enjoyed simple hobbies such as baking traditional treats for holidays, turning their apartment into a haven of warmth and cultural comfort. These pursuits highlighted her compassionate spirit, always carving out moments of connection despite life’s challenges.
The suspect faces capital murder charges for multiple victims and is held at Ector County Youth Center, with the investigation confirming a targeted, non-gang-related act. Odessa Police Chief Mike Gerke called it a “cowardly act of violence,” noting the ex-girlfriend’s physical safety but profound trauma. No funeral details have emerged publicly as of December 12, 2025, as the community rallies around the survivors.
This tragedy amplifies calls for youth mental health resources in Odessa, where the surviving daughter’s resilience mirrors her mother’s legacy of love. Rodriguez’s memory endures as a beacon of maternal fortitude, guiding her family through grief while underscoring the perils of unchecked teen conflicts.