Tragedy Strikes Friendswood, Texas as Teen Faces Murder Charge in Shooting Incident
Jan 13, 02:00 AM
A 17-year-old, Connor Hilton, is facing severe charges, including one count of murder and two counts of aggravated assault causing serious bodily harm, following a tragic shooting incident that unfolded in suburban Friendswood on December 23.
Ethan Riley, 18, lost his life in the incident, while his
19-year-old friend, Benjamin Bliek, survived but remains in critical condition
at a local hospital. Hilton, allegedly said that "he had thought about and wanted to
commit a homicide for a long time."
According to the police affidavit, Hilton said he had a handgun after he talked his
mother into buying him one. He reportedly said that he wanted the gun with the
intent of shooting someone or himself. Before the shooting, the suspect
said all three of them were in the main area of the residence when he was
showing them the gun. Hilton reportedly said there was no altercation between
him and the victims on the day of the shooting. According to the affidavit,
Hilton said “he stood up, raised the gun and shot Riley first in the left side
of his head.” He said that he then turned to his right and shot the other
victim in the left side of his head. Hilton told investigators that he
fully understood what he had done and that he should be held accountable.
The senseless act was brought to the attention of the authorities
when an unidentified witness, locked in a bathroom, reported hearing two
gunshots and immediately called the police. The witness claimed to hear Hilton
sobbing and yelling in remorse after the incident.
Upon police arrival, Hilton was found outside the house, visibly
distraught. He indicated to the officers that he believed two teenagers inside
the house were deceased. Riley was discovered on the ground with a gunshot
wound to the head, while Bliek was also shot in the head, but survived.
During the investigation, Hilton admitted to the police that he
had convinced his mother to acquire the revolver for him. In subsequent
interviews, Hilton confessed to shooting both victims without any apparent
disturbance or disagreement.
Initially facing two counts of aggravated assault with bodily
injury, Hilton's charges were upgraded to murder after Riley's death. He was
placed under a $1 million bond at the Galveston County Jail. GPS monitoring has
been added to his bond conditions.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Hilton's attorney is requesting a bond low enough to
allow him to leave jail for mental health treatment. In a surprising twist,
Hilton's attorney disputes his ownership of the gun, claiming it belongs to his
mother, Johnece Hilton, who purchased it for her own protection and kept it in
a locked safe. Criminal defense attorney, J. L. Carpenter, released the following statement on behalf of the Hilton family:
The parents of Connor Hilton
cannot express enough their deepest condolences to the victims’ families, who
have been heavily on the Hiltons’ hearts and minds as they try to navigate this
devastating situation. The Hilton family wants to thank everyone who has
reached out in love and support, including all who sent positive comments about
Connor’s character and good nature in general. The family asks for continued
prayers for everyone affected, especially the victims’ families.
Ethan Riley, 18, lost his life in the incident, while his
19-year-old friend, Benjamin Bliek, survived but remains in critical condition
at a local hospital. Hilton, allegedly said that "he had thought about and wanted to
commit a homicide for a long time."
According to the police affidavit, Hilton said he had a handgun after he talked his
mother into buying him one. He reportedly said that he wanted the gun with the
intent of shooting someone or himself. Before the shooting, the suspect
said all three of them were in the main area of the residence when he was
showing them the gun. Hilton reportedly said there was no altercation between
him and the victims on the day of the shooting. According to the affidavit,
Hilton said “he stood up, raised the gun and shot Riley first in the left side
of his head.” He said that he then turned to his right and shot the other
victim in the left side of his head. Hilton told investigators that he
fully understood what he had done and that he should be held accountable.
The senseless act was brought to the attention of the authorities
when an unidentified witness, locked in a bathroom, reported hearing two
gunshots and immediately called the police. The witness claimed to hear Hilton
sobbing and yelling in remorse after the incident.
Upon police arrival, Hilton was found outside the house, visibly
distraught. He indicated to the officers that he believed two teenagers inside
the house were deceased. Riley was discovered on the ground with a gunshot
wound to the head, while Bliek was also shot in the head, but survived.
During the investigation, Hilton admitted to the police that he
had convinced his mother to acquire the revolver for him. In subsequent
interviews, Hilton confessed to shooting both victims without any apparent
disturbance or disagreement.
Initially facing two counts of aggravated assault with bodily
injury, Hilton's charges were upgraded to murder after Riley's death. He was
placed under a $1 million bond at the Galveston County Jail. GPS monitoring has
been added to his bond conditions.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Hilton's attorney is requesting a bond low enough to
allow him to leave jail for mental health treatment. In a surprising twist,
Hilton's attorney disputes his ownership of the gun, claiming it belongs to his
mother, Johnece Hilton, who purchased it for her own protection and kept it in
a locked safe. Criminal defense attorney, J. L. Carpenter, released the following statement on behalf of the Hilton family:
The parents of Connor Hilton
cannot express enough their deepest condolences to the victims’ families, who
have been heavily on the Hiltons’ hearts and minds as they try to navigate this
devastating situation. The Hilton family wants to thank everyone who has
reached out in love and support, including all who sent positive comments about
Connor’s character and good nature in general. The family asks for continued
prayers for everyone affected, especially the victims’ families.
On Dec. 24, Hilton was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with bodily injury
and booked into the Galveston County Jail. His bond was set at $1 million and
he posted it by midday. But once one of his victims, Ethan Riley, 18, died in the hospital, District Attorney Jack Roady upgraded the charges to murder.
Though Hilton spent Christmas Day with his family, by that evening, police had rearrested him on the more serious murder charge. He remains in jail and it does not appear a new bond has been issued. Other terms are also unclear at this time.
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and booked into the Galveston County Jail. His bond was set at $1 million and
he posted it by midday. But once one of his victims, Ethan Riley, 18, died in the hospital, District Attorney Jack Roady upgraded the charges to murder.
Though Hilton spent Christmas Day with his family, by that evening, police had rearrested him on the more serious murder charge. He remains in jail and it does not appear a new bond has been issued. Other terms are also unclear at this time.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com