HEARNE MAN CHARGED IN MURDER OF MINERVA WOMAN

(MINERVA)  The Milam County Sheriff's Office has charged a Hearne man with the murder of a 23 year old Minerva woman and attempted murder charges stemming from injuries on the woman’s parents.

Ben Contreras, 41 of Hearne was taken into custody after an hour long stand off with Milam County law enforcement officers.  He is charged with one count of murder and 2 counts of attempted murder.

The incident began to unfold with a call received at 6:48pm when a motorist found 59 year old Preston Solomon of Minerva laying injured on CR 232 Loop.  Upon arrival of deputies, attempts were made to find out what had happened to the man. 

During the investigation, a 911 call was received at 7:14pm in reference to a possible shooting in Minerva. 
Deputies learned that the shooting was possibly related to the injured man.  Upon arrival at the Edric Solomon residence off CR 232 Loop, Deputies found a woman, later identified as Gail Solomon inside the home who had been shot in the chest.

Deputies were directed by family members that the suspect, Contreras was down the road at another mobile home and that he had possibly shot Stephanie Young at that residence also.  They also reported that Young's three young children, ages 2, 5 and 7 were also inside the home.

Deputies immediately responded to the mobile home where Contreras was reportedly holding the woman and three children.  Contreras refused to come outside of the house, at one point advising Sheriff West that he had a child in his arms.

After an hour long stand off with the Sheriff and 12 Milam County officers from various agencies, Sheriff West was able to secure Contreras's surrender without further incident.  Once he was taken into custody, Deputies conducted a search of the residence.  Deputies found Stephanie Young deceased inside the home.  The three children were found safe and locked inside a bathroom on the other end of the mobile home. 

Contreras gave a confession to all of the offenses.  Affidavits of probable cause have been filed with Justice of the Peace O.C. Dunsmoor.  He will be formally charged later this morning.  Dunsmoor also conducted the inquest at the scene.  Young's body was sent to the Southwest Institute of Forensic Science in Dallas for an autopsy.

Contreras has been charged with Murder in the death of Stephanie Young and two charges of attempted murder relating to Mr. and Mrs. Solomon.  Both Solomons are at Scott & White Hospital in Temple.  The cause of the incident is still being investigated.