North Texas Faces Dark Holiday with Domestic Violence Surge

North Texas saw a grim holiday season with a series of domestic violence incidents. In Terrell, a family of four lost their lives on Christmas Eve. Philip Dale Humphrey, Sherry Lynn Bostick, and a 12-year-old boy were shot, while Casey Dale Humphrey took his own life. The investigation is ongoing. A few days later, in Haslet, deputies responded to a domestic disturbance. One man was detained, and an officer-involved shooting occurred. A man was rushed to the hospital before investigators could intervene. In Grand Prairie, a 62-year-old man shot his son before turning the gun on himself and his wife. On the same day, in McKinney, police found former City Manager Leonard Ragan and his wife Jackie shot dead. Their son, Bryce Ragan, was arrested after refusing to obey officers' commands.Domestic violence is a year-round issue, but holidays often see a rise in cases. Ruth Guerriero, Chief Clinical Officer at Genesis Women's Shelter & Support, points out that the presence of firearms, strangulation attempts, and children in the home increase the risk of fatal outcomes. Shelters see more clients during the holidays and summer, but even with more counselors, the danger remains. Guerriero emphasizes the need to believe victims rather than question them, as abusers often present a convincing public image.