Texas mother killed by police after she shot dead her two 'perfect' daughters

In a series of posts on social media, Christy Sheats said she was blessed with wonderful daughters

Christy Sheats was shot and killed by police officers (Facebook)

A community in Texas is reeling after a woman was killed by police after she fatally shot her two daughters after a family argument.

Police in Fort Bend County said that 42-year-old Christy Sheats was shot by officers after they arrived at her home in response to a series of 911 calls. When they arrived, they found two women lying in the street, both of the seriously injured from gun shot wounds. Standing next to them - carrying a gun, according to police - was Ms Sheats.

Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office said that Ms Sheats was ordered to drop the weapon. When she did not, she was shot and killed by a police officer. Ms Sheats husband, and the father of the two girls, witnessed the entirety of the violence. It was his birthday.

One of Ms Sheats’ daughters died at the scene. The other passed away later in hospital. Ms Sheats husband was not physically injured but was also taken to hospital.

Officers said the motive for the shooting on Friday evening was not clear but that they believe it was sparked to an earlier fight involving the three women.

“It was a family argument that turned into a shooting,” Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls told the Houston Chronicle. “But we’re still trying to put the pieces together.”

The police identified Ms Sheats’ daughters as 22-year-old Taylor, and 17-year-old Madison. Reports said that Taylor seats had graduated from Lone Star College and was a talented artist.She worked as a babysitter and care giver.

Madison Sheats worked as a babysitter, according to social media and was due to return to school at Seven Lakes High School in the autumn.

Friends and neighbors told reporters at the crime scene they were shocked by the shooting. The Sheats family seemed to be loving and close, and Ms Sheats was a proud mother.

“This is not the Christy that I know. It’s just not,” Catherine Knowles, a friend, told KTRK. “I thought it was the wrong person. It had to be.”

Austin Enke said he knew the women slightly and had a couple of classes with at least one of them when they attended Seven Lakes High School.

“They were always cheerful and never depressed. You never heard anything bad about them,” he said.

Records show that deputies had been sent to the family home in the past on more than one occasion. “But as to why we were called here, I don't know,” Mr Nehls said.

The officer said the father was at home when the shooting occurred. He was not injured but was distraught and taken to be checked out at a local hospital.

“It would be too premature to give you a motive as to why something like this took place,” Mr Nehls said.

“The best we can do is pray for the father and husband so he can work through this.”