A Texas mother of two has been killed in a brutal shooting, and police say her ex-boyfriend is to blame. Jalen Whitlock, 25, also known as Jalen Easterling, was throwing a birthday party for her young daughter when Jalin Foreman, 27, allegedly showed up at the party on September 12. The parents reportedly got into an argument leading up to the fatal shooting.
According to KHOU, police had been to the house previously regarding child custody issues. Tragically, Whitlock died in front of her young daughters, and it appears the birthday girl’s father was the killer.
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An argument reportedly broke out at the home.
Whitlock and her new boyfriend were throwing a party for her 6-year-old daughter at a residence on September 12, per KHOU. Foreman allegedly showed up at the home around 8:30 p.m. to drop off presents, and an argument broke out at the front door. Foreman allegedly pulled a gun and began shooting, ultimately killing the mother of his children. She died at the scene.
The scene terrified neighbors.
Felicia Adams lives in the adjoining townhouse where the shooting took place and told KHOU it was scary.
“My heart dropped. I was terrified. It was loud and it sounded like it was going into my house,” she said. Adams and her children tried to protect themselves. “He was angry. He was shouting and screaming,” Adams said.
Adams’ home was not hit, but she told KHOU she found bullet holes in her car. “It was scary. My kids, they were terrified. I have a 5-year-old and she wouldn’t stop crying,” she said.
Police had reportedly been to the home in the past.
Fox 26 reported that police had responded to custody disputes at the townhome in the past. Foreman reportedly left the residence after the shooting. He ultimately turned himself into police on September 16 and is being held in Harris County Hail on a $1 million bond. Foreman was charged with murder and could face life in prison.
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Loved ones launched a fundraiser for the slain mother's children.
According to a Give in Kind page, Whitlock and Foreman were in a contentious battle over the children, and he had allegedly caused problems in the past.
“Jalen was shot and killed by the father of her children, a man that she had not been with for three years. Jalen had been fighting a constant domestic battle to get away from her ex,” the page reads. “Countless reports were filed and this was sadly not the first time he shot her house. She was stalked, harassed and murdered in front of her two children, while celebrating the oldest child’s birthday.” The fundraiser hopes to raise $50,000.
“Jalen was the most caring and compassionate person you could ever know. Her sudden loss has left her mother, Tamara, devastated and now facing the immense challenge of raising both girls alone with no parents,” the page added.
