GEORGETOWN, Texas — A former Williamson County judge and his wife have been identified as the two people killed in a shooting Monday night near Georgetown. 

What You Need To Know

  • A former Williamson County judge and his wife were shot and killed Monday night at their home, which is located near Georgetown

  • Alfred "Burt" Carnes and Susan Carnes, both 74, were found dead inside their home 

  • The suspect has been identified as their son, 45-year-old Seth Carnes. Police said he confessed 

  • Burt Carnes was first appointed as a judge to the 368th District Court in Williamson County in September 1989, and Susan Carnes was a retired elementary school teacher

Judge Alfred “Burt” Carnes and Susan Carnes, both 74, were found dead inside their home after police were called to the 300 block of County Road 317 on reports of a shooting. 

The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that when deputies arrived they encountered 45-year-old Seth Carnes, the son of the couple, leaving the house. Seth Carnes then told the deputies that "he had just shot and killed his mother and father," according to the release. 

Detectives found the bodies of Susan Carnes and Burt Carnes inside the home, and they both suffered fatal gunshot wounds. 

“The preliminary investigation suggests that the murders resulted from a disagreement, escalating into family violence and death,” the release said. 

Seth Carnes was taken into custody, and he has been charged with Capital Murder. He is being held without bond. 

“This deeply distressing incident has sent shockwaves through our community, particularly considering Alfred ‘Burt’ Carnes' esteemed position as a retired District Judge,” Cmrd. John Foster of the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division said in the release. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family affected by this heartbreaking event.”

Burt Carnes was first appointed as a judge to the 368th District Court in Williamson County in September 1989, and Susan Carnes was a retired elementary school teacher. 

According to the Texas State Directory, Burt Carnes' family had “a tradition of public service through law enforcement that began with an ancestor who served the Texas Republic as a Texas Ranger. The family history includes a Texas Ranger ambushed and killed in the line of duty; a Border Patrol Agent killed in the line of duty; the Judge's grandfather, who was Wilson County Sheriff for twenty years and, his father, who was an FBI Special Agent for twenty-six years.”

Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell released a statement after learning of the deaths. 

“Judge Carnes was a committed public servant, respected jurist and beloved community member. His is a legacy of service in our system of justice, and we mourn his and his wife's death," the statement reads.