‘Figured I would finish it off’: Man murdered parents with shotgun over sleeping pill

In a tragic incident in Walburg, Texas, a 45-year-old man has been arrested and charged with capital murder after allegedly confessing to the fatal shooting of his elderly parents. The accused, Seth Carnes, reportedly admitted to killing his mother, Susan Carnes, and his father, Alfred “Burt” Carnes, a retired District Court judge, following a disagreement over a sleeping pill. ​

According to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a shooting at the Carnes residence around 11:45 p.m. on January 8. Upon arrival, they found Burt Carnes deceased in the living room and Susan Carnes in her son’s garage apartment. Despite efforts by medics, both were pronounced dead at the scene. ​

The sequence of events reportedly began when Susan Carnes attempted to give her son a sleeping pill, which he refused. The situation escalated, leading to the fatal shootings. Seth Carnes allegedly told authorities that after the initial confrontation, he entered the main house and, in his words, “figured I would finish it off,” before shooting his father. ​

Following the incident, Carnes was taken into custody without incident and is currently being held without bond. The community has been left in shock, particularly given Judge Burt Carnes’ esteemed position and Susan Carnes’ reputation as a retired elementary school teacher and active community member. ​

This case highlights the devastating impact that familial disputes can have and underscores the importance of addressing underlying issues before they escalate into violence.