A 29-year-old man has been charged with murder after authorities said he allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend during an argument at a residence in East Harris County.
The suspect, Cody Prince, 29, was arrested after deputies responded at approximately 6:30 p.m. to the 11000 block of Maritime Drive near Garrett Road and East Sam Houston Parkway following reports of a shooting.
When deputies arrived, they found Tonya Swink, 41, suffering from gunshot wounds. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.
According to investigators, Prince and Swink had been involved in an argument earlier in the day. Authorities said the couple had been drinking, and investigators are continuing to look into the circumstances that led to the deadly shooting.
Officials said Prince allegedly shot Swink during the confrontation. A 29-year-old male suspect remained at the scene when deputies arrived and was taken into custody without incident.
Investigators said Prince contacted his stepfather after the shooting and informed him that an incident had occurred. The stepfather then immediately contacted the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities believe Prince, Swink, and the stepfather lived together at the residence. Investigators said Prince and Swink were believed to have been in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship, although their current relationship status had not been confirmed.
The suspect told investigators that the weapon was inside the residence. Crime scene investigators searched the home as part of the investigation and worked to locate evidence connected to the shooting.
Prince was transported to the Homicide Office for questioning before being booked into the Harris County Jail on a murder charge.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue working to determine the motive and the full circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting.
The death of Tonya Swink has left family, friends, and loved ones mourning the loss of a woman whose life was tragically taken.
