Deputies Criticized Over Slow Response to Murder

CLEVELAND, Texas (AP) _ The sheriff of San Jacinto County has vowed a full inquiry into why it took seven hours to send deputies to a house where four people were found dead.

Sheriff James Walters said he and his officers are devastated, with “grown men out there and their hearts were broken” at the scene about 15 miles from Cleveland.

Walters on Tuesday declined further comment on delays answering calls about a man with mental health issues, who apparently stopped taking his medicine.

Investigators have said Oliver Bills Jr. fatally shot his girlfriend, her 4-year-old daughter and his adopted mother before killing himself Saturday night.

Capt. Carl Jones said deputies were responding to calls about a major traffic accident and an unrelated gunman incident. Jones said Bills just appeared to be ill, with no history of violence.

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