Officials identify mother killed by ex-husband in front of their 9-year-old son

The mother who was fatally shot Sunday morning in front of her 9-year-old son by an ex-husband who then took his own life has been identified as 28-year-old Krista R. Copeland.

Police say Brian Kesner, 38, called 911 about 10:30 a.m. after the shooting outside Southwest Regional Branch Library, told call takers that he had killed Copeland and then shot himself in the head.

Copeland, the mother of two boys, was taken to John Peter Smith Hospital where she died a short time later from gunshot wounds to her head.

Kesner was pronounced dead in the library’s parking lot, 4001 Library Lane.

Homicide Sgt. Joe Loughman said Copeland had gone to the library to allow Kesner to see their 9-year-old son.

Witnesses outside the nearby Congregation Ahavath Sholom told investigators they had heard the couple arguing before Kesner pulled out a gun and shot Copeland as she sat in the driver’s seat of her vehicle.

Loughman said the boy had been sitting in Kesner’s truck but had gotten out just before the shooting. He was not injured in the shooting. Copeland’s other son was not with her when the shooting occurred.

Kesner then got back into his truck and drove a short distance away before stopping and committing suicide, Loughman said.

Online records indicate the couple had married in Tarrant County in March 2012. It was unclear when they separated.

This story was originally published September 11, 2017 at 3:13 PM with the headline "Officials identify mother killed by ex-husband in front of their 9-year-old son."