Texas police have confirmed that a gunman fatally shot a mother during her six-year-old’s birthday party. Authorities informed PEOPLE that the child’s father, Jalin J. Foreman, fatally shot Jalen Whitlock at the front door of her Houston home around 8:35 p.m. on Sept. 12.
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More Details About Mother’s Tragic Death At Child’s Birthday Party
According to Fox26 Houston, police reported that Jalen Whitlock died from gunshot wounds at the scene. Her two children, ages six and four, along with her boyfriend, were at the home during the shooting.
PEOPLE reports that Jalin J. Foreman, the father of Whitlock’s two children, arrived at the birthday party despite being asked not to come. Witnesses claim that the father shot at Jalen’s townhome at least five times before speeding off.
However, he returned a moment later and attempted to deliver gifts to the birthday child. Whitlock’s current boyfriend said that when the child came downstairs to receive the gifts, he and Jalin had a heated argument.
Jalen Whitlock’s boyfriend stated that Jalin J. started making taunts and threats towards them, saying he wanted to “fight and shoot.” Whitlock’s boyfriend also said he suspected that Jalin J. went to his truck to retrieve a gun based on his comments. So, the boyfriend reportedly did the same and retrieved a gun belonging to his girlfriend. Whitlock’s boyfriend added that Jalin J. returned to their front door and began shooting, and that’s when he saw Whitlock lying on the floor with gunshot wounds.
Houston authorities charged Jalin Foreman with murder for the death of Jalen Whitlock. He turned himself in on Sept. 16 and was taken into custody at the Harris County Jail.
Fox26 Houston notes that previous incidents at the residence were linked to child custody disputes. However, the argument that led to the shooting is still under investigation.
Grandmother Of Texas Mother Demands Justice
Fox26 Houston interviewed Jalen Whitlock’s grandmother, Angela Whitlock, following the tragic event. She expressed deep sorrow over her granddaughter’s death and shared her heartbreak for Jalen’s children, who now face life without their mother.
“He killed my granddaughter in front of his children, making them instant orphans,” Angela said.
Angela mentioned that Jalin Foreman initially proved to be a great boyfriend to her granddaughter and a loving father to the two children he had with Jalen Whitlock.
“Jalin Foreman was an excellent daddy in the beginning, he was an excellent boyfriend. I’m not going to take that from him. He was an excellent father, but when the relationship changed, then all of this stuff went on,” Angela continued.
Despite the murder charge against Jalin Foreman, Angela Whitlock believes he should face a double homicide charge since her granddaughter was 10 weeks pregnant at the time of her death.
“I want [justice] for Jalen and all her children, and I’m not going to stop until it’s a double homicide charge,” Angela affirmed.
