Texas Woman Arrested After Allegedly Murdering Her Daughter Amid Fight Over Stolen Alcohol

A woman in Dallas, Texas, was arrested for allegedly murdering her daughter after they got into a fight over stolen alcohol.

Dallas police responded to a 911 call on Green Cove Lane on Monday, February 2, around 4 p.m., according to a Dallas police arrest affidavit viewed by Fox 4. The caller told dispatchers that her mother had shot her in the side and that she needed help.

Officers were just one block away at the time of the call, so they were able to quickly report to the scene just minutes later.

Upon their arrival, investigators found 28-year-old Tabatha Jones suffering from a gunshot wound in her bedroom. She was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, though died about an hour later.

Police ultimately arrested Shanika Battle at the home, according to the affidavit. Authorities also noted that Battle, 49, and Jones were the only people home at the time they reported to the scene.

Investigators obtained a search warrant and found a pistol in the living room near Battle’s purse, as well as a .380-caliber fired cartridge casing that was in the hallway outside of Jones’ bedroom.

When Battle spoke to investigators, she said she was upset with Jones after she took an alcoholic beverage that belonged to her. Battle went on to claim that Jones was “going into rooms that aren’t hers,” which led the pair to get into a verbal argument. She said that the fight escalated and eventually turned physical.

Battle admitted that the gun belonged to her and claimed that she took it out of her purse to “scare” Jones during the argument, according to the affidavit. However, she denied that she fired the weapon.

Battle is currently held in the Dallas County Jail and has been charged with murder, according to online records viewed by Us Weekly. She is being held without bond.

It’s not currently clear if Battle has entered a plea or retained legal representation after she was arrested.

Police confirmed in a news release that the investigation into Jones’ death is ongoing. Authorities are asking that anyone with information regarding the case contact Detective Cody Clark at 214-671-3584 or email him at cody.clark@dallaspolice.gov.

Authorities had no other updates to share when contacted by Us Weekly.

If Battle is found guilty of murder, her sentence will be determined by the degree of the felony.

In Texas, the first-degree murder law applies to almost all murder cases committed in the state, according to the Saputo Law website. Meanwhile, those charged with second-degree murder must prove that the killing was a sudden passion defense.

Those found guilty of first degree murder are often sentenced to serve between five to 99 years or life in prison, as well as given fines of up to $10,000, according to the Thiessen Law Firm. Those convicted of second-degree murder are often sentenced to serve between two to 20 years in prison and can be given a fine of up to $10,000.