Henderson County sheriff identifies two killed during home invasion

HENDERSON COUNTY, TX (KLTV) - Two men were fatally shot in Henderson County during a home invasion and attempted robbery, and they have been identified Monday afternoon.

Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse released the names of the two deceased men shot Sunday by a resident during a home invasion and aggravated robbery.

The deceased were  Steven Kelley, 49, of Winona; and Cecil Spain, 31, of Grand Saline. Hillhouse said that the two men posed as customers looking to purchase a dog from a man and woman at their Athens-area residence.The couple was physically restrained by the two, Hillhouse said, and suffered minor injuries during the home invasion. Both deceased men were armed with handguns during the home invasion, he said.

Hillhouse said the deceased were identified with the assistance of the Mesquite Police Department, Crime Scene Unit's fingerprint analyst Detective Aaron Martin. The ongoing case is being investigated by the Henderson County Sheriff's Office, Henderson County District Attorney's Office, and the Texas Rangers.

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Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said Monday that the men were shot Sunday afternoon on Hopson Drive in the Athens area.

"It was a home invasion and attempted robbery that went very bad," Hillhouse said.

The sheriff described the incident Monday, saying that a man and a woman were home at the time of the incident. Both received minor injuries.

The two own a home-based company and Hillhouse said the suspects showed up, initially acting as if they were potential customers. An altercation later followed and the two men were shot.

The sheriff declined to provide specifics on the shooting and said the identities of the suspects may be released later in the day.

Hillhouse confirmed that the two suspects were both armed with handguns, and said at this time it appears as if the residents were defending themselves.

The sheriff's office, Henderson County District Attorney's Office, and the Texas Rangers are investigating the incident.

Henderson County Pct 4 Justice of the Peace Milton Adams conducted an inquest at the scene and ordered the deceased to be sent to American Forensics for an autopsy. District Judge Scott McKee also issued a search warrant for the residence.

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