Domestic violence group says adults should be mindful of teen relationships

Teen relationships can be as volatile as adult relationships

SAN ANTONIO – A domestic violence group says adults should be mindful of teenage relationship concerns in the wake of an apparent murder-suicide Monday morning.

Judson High senior Emilee Hurst, 18, was killed Monday after former Judson High student Mark Villarreal, 21, shot her and then turned the gun on himself in a home in the 1400 block of Medusa. 

Judson Independent School District spokesman Steve Linscomb said Selma Police had indicated to the district that the murder-suicide was related to some sort of old boyfriend/new boyfriend situation. Villarreal was upset about the way his relationship with Hurst had gone, Linscomb said.

KSAT 12 asked Patricia Castillo, the executive director of the Peace Initiative about that type of scenario.

"That's also a very common pattern of thought, that ‘If I can't have you, nobody can have you,’" Castillo said. "If you hear somebody say that to you, you need to start figuring out a way how to get yourself to be safe."

Castillo said that also means figuring out a safety plan, making sure you have the support of family and friends and making sure the person understands they have no right to harm or hurt you.

Castillo also said adults need to be mindful that teen relationships can be as volatile as adult relationships. Adults can sometimes minimize what is happening with young people, which leaves them vulnerable, Castillo said.


About the Author:

Garrett Brnger is a reporter with KSAT 12.