Lauren Juma: Cops probing if slain Texas girl, 16, was also sexually assaulted
HARRIS, TEXAS: A Texas man, Van Brisbon, 60, has been accused of murdering a 16-year-old girl. He made his initial appearance in court, in connection to the murder of his girlfriend's teenage daughter Lauren Juma, on Friday, April 29.
Over the course of the weekend, the judge set Brisbon's bond at $1 million owing to a probable cause. However, when on Monday more fatal details relating to the shooting of this teenager were revealed, the bond amount was doubled.
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Prosecutors said Brisbon left the home in the 20400 block of Canton Trace Lane early on Friday. While he made the exit, he was seen pulling up his pants, as reported by KHOU11. The series of events started at 1 am when the officials at the Harris County Precinct 4 recieved a disturbing call. They responded to this call regarding weapons disturbance when the 16-year old victim's sister said that her mother's boyfriend was holding Lauren captive inside their home.
Lauren's sister, Keyrca Harmon said, "She just wanted to get away, that's all she wanted. She just said he was being really weird and wanted me to pick her up."
When the deputies from the Harris County Precint arrived, they heard a gunshot followed by a mind shattering screaming. Just seconds later, they heard a second shot.
NEW: Family members and supporters of 16-yr-old Lauren Juma just arrived at court. One of them made this tribute shirt with her picture on it @KHOU The Nimitz High sophomore was shot and killed Friday. pic.twitter.com/TxZr5Oyh7Y
— Ugochi Iloka KHOU (@UgochiKHOU) May 2, 2022
The 60-year-old suspect then walked out of the house and told the deputies, "Do what you have to do.” Prosecutors informed the judge of a probable cause that the 16-year-old victim was found with her pants down. Additionally, when Brisbon walked out of the house, he was pulling up his pants.
Lauren's mom and sister who weren't home at the time claim they both spoke to her on the phone before her murder. "I just know my baby called me on the phone ... Facetimed me ... and she said mom, ‘help me’ and she hung up the phone. That's the last time I heard her voice," Laurie Young, the victim's mother, said. She added, "He treated Lauren like she was his baby. I don't understand. He can rot in jail. He had no reason to take my baby's life."
Her sister said, "I was there for three minutes before I heard two gunshots go off, and I could just remember running up to the house and officers telling me to go back to my car."
MORE: Brisbon’s niece left the courtroom in tears, when she heard the gruesome case details. She says Lauren was like a daughter to her Uncle. Live report coming up at noon @KHOU pic.twitter.com/8YhzFNOLIo
— Ugochi Iloka KHOU (@UgochiKHOU) May 2, 2022
A GoFundMe campaign to pay for funeral expenses raised $16,118 as of May 2.