The Galveston County District Attorney’s Office announced expanded community outreach after three domestic violence-related homicides occurred in one week at the end of June. The office also reported 1,466 cases of family violence so far in 2026.
Galveston County will broaden its community outreach efforts following a recent rise in domestic violence cases, including three homicides that occurred during a one-week span at the end of June, according to county authorities.
The Galveston County District Attorney’s Office reported that all three victims were women and that, in each case, the defendant was a male partner or former partner. Local authorities said the cases will be reviewed in collaboration with safety agencies to strengthen prevention, response, and investigation procedures.
Three recent cases raised the alert in the county
The three men accused in the cases are Kristian McMurrin, 21; Lee Sims, 73; and Isaiah Johnson, 38, according to the district attorney’s office and county court records.
McMurrin faces charges of murder and aggravated assault after the Texas City Police found two people injured by gunfire on June 23. One of the victims, Nakia Kelley, 25, died from her wounds. The district attorney’s office contends that Kelley was shot as she attempted to protect her sister.
Sims was charged with murder by the Texas City Police in the death of Angela Gray, 42. The district attorney’s office indicated that Gray was shot in the chest inside a residence that she allegedly shared with Sims.
Johnson was charged with murder in the death of Joanna Walton, his ex-partner, in League City. The case is part of the three domestic-violence-related homicides authorities link to a short period in Galveston County.
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The district attorney reports 1,466 cases of family violence in 2026
Kate Willis, the chief prosecutor for violence against women in Galveston County, reported that the county has logged 1,466 reports of family violence in 2026.
Willis said that the figures cannot be reduced to statistics and that the district attorney’s office is processing the three recent cases. She also noted that the office is preparing new direct-contact spaces for residents in different cities across the county.
District Attorney Kenneth Cusick said his office will review internal procedures with county safety agencies to close possible gaps in the response to this type of case.
There will be community forums and more training
The District Attorney’s Office plans to hold community forums at community centers in several cities in Galveston County. The aim is to bring information to people facing domestic violence, as well as to family members, friends, or neighbors who may identify risk signals.
In addition to outreach, the unit specializing in violence against women plans to expand training for safety agencies and for district attorney’s office staff. Willis said the goal is for investigators and prosecutors to better identify risk factors in domestic-violence cases.
Authorities also highlighted a new county resources guide that gathers information on shelters, housing, hotlines, and organizations such as the Texas Council on Family Violence.
The cases remain in court
The three defendants face separate criminal proceedings in Galveston County. By Wednesday afternoon, the court-appointed lawyers for Johnson and McMurrin had not responded to requests for comment, and online court records did not list an attorney for Sims.
County authorities did not announce specific dates for the community forums. The district attorney’s office said outreach will be conducted at community centers in the affected cities and that internal training will also be part of the official response.
