RICHARDSON, Texas — A 23-year-old woman has been arrested and charged in the fatal shooting of her child’s grandmother in Richardson, officials said.
Officers responded to the shooting shortly after 7 p.m. Monday, April 18, at 4151 East Renner Road, which is the address for a Starbucks off Renner and North Star Road. The location is in an area of Richardson that is east of President George Bush Turnpike.
Police received a 911 call about a woman firing a gun at another woman, according to a news release. Police said they learned that the suspect, Tranisa Octavin Trana Watts, 23, and the victim, Kentoria Nicole Edwards, 52, were involved in a disturbance.
According to police, Edwards is the grandmother of Watts’ child and had full custody. Watts requested to see her child and Edwards agreed they could meet at the location.
During the visit, Watts pulled out a handgun and shot Edwards and attempted to leave with the child, police said. Paramedics responded and took Edwards to a hospital, where she died. Officers who responded to the shooting arrested Watts.
No one else was injured in the shooting.
On Tuesday, all morning and into the afternoon, a clean-up crew was at Starbucks. One woman told WFAA she heard the gunshots.
“Just pops. You’re thinking kids are playing. Nothing ever happens here. Pretty safe,” said Rosemary, who lives near the Starbucks.
WFAA also spoke to Lori Johnson, who lives near the victim. She was shaking as she heard the news. Johnson said, right before the shooting, she saw Watts getting dropped off.
"She got let off at the front of the neighborhood, and walked to the back, and trying to find someone in the home,” said Johnson.
Johnson said no one let her in the house.
“She asked me if I knew where the people were in the home,” Johnson said. “Now, I’m wondering who dropped her off. I think there are some Ring doorbells, maybe someone has some video."
'April will never be the same'
Edwards' family is now left trying to make sense of everything.
The 52-year-old was a beloved mother of three and grandmother to many.
On Tuesday afternoon, WFAA spoke with niece Jazmin Parnell. She said Edwards was beloved by many close to her.
"She loved to smile and she was the life of the party," Parnell said. "Now, that presence is not going to be here anymore."
Parnell and Edwards share birthdays in the same month. She told WFAA she booked a photoshoot for her and her aunt one year.
"She also loved to take pictures--and she loved every minute of that," Parnell said.
Parnell said her aunt was like a second mother to her--someone who watched after her as a baby and never missed a milestone.
"She's been there for me every step of the way," Parnell said. "April will never be the same."
Parnell said Edwards' family is in complete shock--not expecting the shooting at all.
"Everything came crumbling down on Monday," Parnell said. "We get the call and we just were numb. She was just trying to give her (Watts) a chance to see the child and then she did this."
As the family is getting ready to bury their loved one, Richardson police are continuing their investigation. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the department at 972-744-4800.
Edwards' family has set up a GoFundMe account, hoping it will help pay for funeral expenses. If you would like to help, click here.