Tarrant briefs: Couple, dogs found shot to death in Keller

Couple and their dogs found shot to death

KELLER - A Keller couple who may have been dead for a week were discovered by authorities Sunday afternoon in what was apparently a murder/suicide in their home, authorities said Monday.

Two large dogs also were found shot to death on the couple's bed, Keller police said.

The identities of the husband and wife, who police say were in their 60s, have not been released pending notification of relatives.

Responding to a welfare check call, Keller police arrived at the home about 5:30 p.m. Sunday in the 1500 block of Chase Oaks Drive.

"The house was secured," said Keller police Lt. Brenda Slovak on Monday. "Officers could detect a smell and forced their way into the home."

Police found the couple in a bed along with the two dogs. The man had a gun in his hand and authorities found a note, Slovak said. Police did not release any information from the note.

Based on evidence found at the scene, investigators believe that the shooting may have happened Jan. 17. A restaurant receipt dated Jan. 17 was discovered in the residence, police said.

-- Domingo Ramirez Jr.

Driver dies in accident on frontage road

FORT WORTH -- A 29-year-old Fort Worth man died early Monday morning when his pickup truck struck a light pole while traveling along an Interstate 30 frontage road near the University Drive exit.

Police said the pickup was headed eastbound in the 3100 block of the West Freeway when it jumped the embankment and then hit the light pole.

The driver, John Lerma, was pronounced dead at the crash site at 1:15 a.m. A passenger appeared uninjured but was taken to an area hospital as a precautionary measure.

-- Bill Hanna

Man posing as fire marshal arrested

GRAPEVINE -- A man posing as a fire marshal was arrested this past weekend in Grapevine after police say he tried to avoid paying a $10 cover charge and get free drinks at the Glass Cactus, a nightclub at the Gaylord Texan.

Charles Brandon, 43, who lives in the Denton County community of Savannah, faces a charge of public intoxication and impersonating a public servant. He was free Monday after posting $3,700 bail shortly after his arrest early Sunday.

Brandon is accused of claiming to be a fire marshal with Dallas County Fire and Rescue and flashing a badge to employees at the Glass Cactus and a Grapevine fire marshal, who just happened to be at the club.

-- Domingo Ramirez Jr.

Baby, 4 months old, left at daycare dies

IRVING -- A 4-month-old child found unresponsive Monday at an Irving daycare died at a hospital later in the day, authorities said.

Irving police said there were no obvious signs of foul play in the boy's death, and the cause of death was not yet known.

An employee of the daycare, 1400 W. Shady Grove, found the child unconscious while doing a routine check of the children and called 911. Staff initiated CPR until paramedics arrived.

Police did not release the name of the child, pending notification of the family. -- Sarah Bahari

Meals on Wheels needs more volunteers

TARRANT COUNTY -- Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County needs volunteers to deliver food to homebound clients, officials said Monday.

An increase in clients is requiring the creation of more delivery routes across the county, according to an announcement from the nonprofit organization. In greatest need are substitute delivery volunteers to fill in when weekly drivers get sick or go out of town.

For more information, call Director of Volunteers Nedra Cutler at 817-258-6426 or visit mealsonwheels.org.

-- Alex Branch

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