2012 Jefferson County, Texas, courthouse shooting

2012 shooting and murder of a bystander in a Texas courthouse May 2026 May 2026 Beaumont, Texas, United States March 14, 2012 Mass shootingAttempted murderMurder by shooting Minnie Ray Sebolt, 79 Samantha Jackson, 20Claudia Jackson (age unknown)Leslie King (age unknown) Gun Bartholomew Granger, 41 Guilty Capital murder yes Death (May 7, 2013) On March 14, 2012, in Beaumont, Texas, 41-year-old Bartholomew Granger (born September 26, 1970),https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/death_row/dr_info/grangerbartholowmew.html Granger, Bartholowmew Texas Department of Criminal Justice April 29, 2026 who was on trial for the aggravated sexual assault of his daughter, attempted to shoot and kill his daughter outside the Jefferson County Courthouse. The shooting led to the murder of 79-year-old Minnie Ray Sebolt, and the wounding of another three women, including Granger's daughter and her mother. Granger was found guilty of capital murder for the death of Sebolt and sentenced to death on May 7, 2013. Shooting On March 14, 2012, a gunman opened fire outside the Jefferson County Courthouse in Texas, resulting in the murder of a bystander and another three women wounded.Deadly gun spree at Texas court BBC March 14, 2012 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-17371165 At that time, the shooter, 41-year-old Bartholomew Granger, and his brother were both charged with the aggravated sexual assault of Granger's 20-year-old daughter, who reported the both of them for allegedly sexually abusing her as a child. Furthermore, Granger was scheduled to appear in court to stand trial for the charges on the day of the shooting, and his daughter appeared in court the day before to testify against her father.Texas Courthouse Gunman and Brother Accused of Sexual Assault ABC News March 15, 2012 https://abcnews.com/US/texas-courthouse-gunman-brother-accused-sexual-assualt-daughter/story?id=15927663 Granger was said to have felt aggrieved over the ongoing trial and expressed to his lawyer his resentment towards the trial judge for allowing the witnesses to commit perjury and wanted a different judge and trial venue.Granger v. State [2015], Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (United States). On the morning of the shooting, Granger took a gun from his vehicle in a nearby parking lot and opened fire at his daughter and her mother (who was Granger's ex-wife), causing them to be wounded. Apart from Granger's daughter and ex-wife, two female bystanders were also shot by Granger, and one of the bystanders, 79-year-old Minnie Ray Sebolt (also spelt Minnie Seabolt), died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds, while the other bystander was wounded on her finger. After the shooting, Granger drove his truck and ran over his daughter before he fled the courthouse. Granger's ex-wife was wounded on her buttocks, while Granger's daughter sustained severe gunshot injuries and was in critical condition when she was rushed to the hospital.Gunman kills 1, injures 3 outside Texas courthouse CNN March 15, 2012 https://edition.cnn.com/2012/03/14/justice/texas-courthouse-shooting At the time of her death, Sebolt was taking a friend to the VA Office, and her daughter described her as a "ray of sunshine" to the family, which was taken away by the gunman.Family: Beaumont shooting victim was taking friend to VA Office when she died KHOU March 15, 2012 https://www.khou.com/article/news/family-beaumont-shooting-victim-was-taking-friend-to-va-office-when-she-died/285-339789143 The injured victims were identified as Samantha Jackson, Claudia Jackson and Leslie King. Samantha and Claudia were Granger's daughter and ex-wife respectively while King was a bystander.https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/defense-begins-friday-in-courthouse-shooting-trial-4463243.php Defense begins Friday in courthouse shooting trial Moore Sarah The Beaumont Enterprise April 26, 2013 May 4, 2026 While fleeing the scene, Granger was pursued by police officers and he engaged in a gunfight with them while driving. Despite being injured, Granger ultimately abandoned his vehicle and ran into a nearby building, where he held several occupants hostage. Granger was later subdued by two of the hostages and he later surrendered to the police, leading to his arrest.Accused Texas courthouse gunman targeted daughter: police Reuters March 16, 2012 https://www.reuters.com/article/world/us/accused-texas-courthouse-gunman-targeted-daughter-police-idUSBRE82F01W/ Charges thumb|Mugshot of Granger After his arrest, Bartholomew Granger was charged with the murder of Minnie Sebolt.Alleged Texas gunman held on murder charge in courthouse shooting CBS News March 15, 2012 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/alleged-texas-gunman-held-on-murder-charge-in-courthouse-shooting/ 79-year-old shooting victim named; gunman charged with murder Beaumont Enterprise March 14, 2012 https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/79-year-old-shooting-victim-named-gunman-charged-3407541.php He was subsequently detained at the Jefferson County Correctional Facility in lieu of a $4 million bond ($3 million for murder and the remaining $1 million for aggravated sexual assault.Courthouse shooting suspect held on $4 million bond NBC News March 16, 2012 https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna46749797 Bond for accused courthouse shooter set at $4 million Chron March 15, 2012 https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/bond-for-accused-courthouse-shooter-set-at-4-3407862.php In April 2012, Granger filed a motion to change his trial venue from Jefferson County to another county, with Galveston County being one of the possible venues on the list.Accused courthouse shooter could face trial in a different city Beaumont Enterprise May 18, 2012 https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/crime/article/accused-courthouse-shooter-could-face-trial-in-a-3516351.php Courthouse shooting trial could move to Galveston Beaumont Enterprise May 8, 2012 https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/crime/article/courthouse-shooting-trial-could-move-to-galveston-3542580.php On May 17, 2012, Granger was formally indicted by a grand jury for the murder of Sebolt, in addition to three counts of attempted capital murder, four counts of aggravated kidnapping and one count of aggravated assault.Accused courthouse shooter indicted 12 News Now May 17, 2012 https://www.12newsnow.com/article/news/accused-courthouse-shooter-indicted/502-270230178 A day after his indictment, a judge approved Granger's request to move his trial venue from Jefferson County to Galveston County.Accused courthouse shooter's trial moving to Galveston Beaumont Enterprise May 18, 2012 https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/accused-courthouse-shooter-s-trial-moving-to-3568816.php In July 2012, Jefferson County District Attorney Tom Maness stated that his office was reviewing the case and could possibly upgrade the original murder charge to capital murder, an offence which warrants either the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole under Texas state law.DA: Accused courthouse shooter could be tried for capital murder Beaumont Enterprise August 2, 2012 https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/da-accused-courthouse-shooter-could-be-tried-for-3696275.php On August 2, 2012, Granger was once again re-indicted by a grand jury for an upgraded charge of capital murder in the killing of Sebolt, and District Attorney Maness expressed that they likely would seek the death penalty for Granger.Accused courthouse shooter now charged with capital murder Beaumont Enterprise August 2, 2012 https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/crime/article/accused-courthouse-shooter-now-charged-with-3757605.php While Granger was still awaiting trial for the murder of Sebolt, he and his brother continued to face separate proceedings for the sexual assault of his daughter. In April 2012, a month after he was charged in connection to the shooting, Granger's sexual assault trial was declared a mistrial by District Judge John Stevens due to heightened attention following the incident.Accused courthouse shooter and brother in court 12 News Now March 18, 2013 https://www.12newsnow.com/article/news/accused-courthouse-shooter-and-brother-in-court/502-270122089 Sex assault case is declared a mistrial The Dallas Morning News April 20, 2012 https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2012/04/21/sex-assault-case-is-declared-a-mistrial/ Trial On April 22, 2013, the capital murder trial of Bartholomew Granger began before a jury in a Galveston County court.Bartholomew Granger capital murder trial begins in woman's shooting death outside Texas courthouse CBS News April 23, 2013 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bartholomew-granger-capital-murder-trial-begins-in-womans-shooting-death-outside-texas-courthouse/ Trial begins in Texas murder case UPI April 22, 2013 https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/04/22/Trial-begins-in-Texas-murder-case/13771366665206/ On April 30, 2013, after deliberating for about an hour and 45 minutes, the jury found Granger guilty of the capital murder of Sebolt.Bartholomew Granger Update: Texas man found guilty of murder in courthouse shooting CBS News April 30, 2013 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bartholomew-granger-update-texas-man-found-guilty-of-murder-in-courthouse-shooting/ Man found guilty of murder in Texas court shooting USA Today April 30, 2013 https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/04/30/texas-court-shooting/2125051/ During the sentencing trial, in which the prosecution sought the death penalty, Granger reportedly continued to have angry outbursts in court. At one point, Granger angrily addressed the judge and claimed that his daughter "got what she deserved", and it led to Granger being restrained by the officers in the courtroom.Texas man convicted in killing yells at judge Associated Press May 1, 2013 https://apnews.com/general-news-3d9fd459eaa94d16b8abcef4eb4c5779 Outbursts dominate first day of punishment for courthouse killer Chron May 1, 2013 https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/outbursts-dominate-first-day-of-punishment-for-4481281.php At another point during the proceedings, when the daughter of Sebolt came to court to give her victim impact statement, Granger shouted that he never killed her mother, and outright refused to hear her testimony. Granger even testified on the stand against his lawyers' advice, describing his case as a "mockery of justice" and "lynching", and also showed a yellow pad scribbled with the word "death" to the jurors, and both of these instances led to him being removed from court.Convicted courthouse shooter sentenced to death Lubbock Avalanche-Journal May 8, 2013 https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/news/state/2013/05/08/convicted-courthouse-shooter-senteced-death/15093764007/ On May 7, 2013, Granger was sentenced to death upon the jury's unanimous recommendation for capital punishment. Lead prosecutor Ed Shettle stated that Granger deserved the death penalty for his heinous actions and lack of remorse, while Sebolt's daughter stated she "couldn’t be happier" with the jury's verdict of death for her mother's killer.Man sentenced to death in Texas courthouse killing Associated Press May 7, 2013 https://apnews.com/general-news-6a6968be9c5a4960b1c31cc080f73c22 Bartholomew Granger Update: Houston man sentenced to death in courthouse killing CBS News May 7, 2013 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bartholomew-granger-update-houston-man-sentenced-to-death-in-courthouse-killing/ According to The Beaumont Enterprise, the cost of Granger's death penalty trial amounted to more than $370,000.Courthouse shooter's trial cost taxpayers $370K Beaumont Enterprise June 21, 2013 https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/courthouse-shooter-s-trial-cost-taxpayers-370k-4614162.php Appeals Following sentencing, Bartholomew Granger was transferred to death row at the Allan B. Polunsky Unit, and he was entitled to a mandatory direct appeal to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.Appeal process for courthouse shooter's death sentence could begin soon Beaumont Enterprise December 30, 2013 https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/appeal-process-for-courthouse-shooter-s-death-5102072.php On June 28, 2014, Granger filed an appeal against his death sentence.Courthouse shooter files death penalty appeal Beaumont Enterprise June 28, 2014 https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Courthouse-shooter-files-death-penalty-appeal-5585247.php On April 22, 2015, Granger's direct appeal was dismissed by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.Courthouse shooter's appeal denied Beaumont Enterprise April 22, 2015 https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Courthouse-shooter-s-appeal-denied-6216551.php On February 24, 2016, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals remanded Granger's first post-conviction writ to the trial court and rejected the findings of facts and conclusions of law issued by the trial court which recommended Granger's first state post-conviction writ be denied. The Court ordered the writ be adjudicated anew as Jefferson County Criminal District Attorney Bob Wortham's office represented the state in Granger's case. The court ordered Wortham be disqualified from any involvement in Granger's litigation due to a conflict of interest as Wortham is a former judge who presided over Granger's trial; Thomas Roebuck was subsequently appointed as Criminal District Attorney Pro Tempore to represent the State in any future state appeals filed by Granger.https://search.txcourts.gov/Case.aspx?cn=WR-83,135-01&coa=cosccahttps://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/crime/article/Jefferson-County-Courthouse-killer-seeks-hearing-10750683.php On May 17, 2017, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals rejected Granger's first state post-conviction writ collaterally attacking his death sentence, which alleged ineffective trial counsel and prosecutorial misconduct.Court lifts reprieve for Nicaraguan man on Texas death row Associated Press Yahoo News May 17, 2017 https://www.yahoo.com/news/court-lifts-reprieve-nicaraguan-man-texas-death-row-152743288.html Courthouse shooter's second appeal denied Beaumont Enterprise May 17, 2017 https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Courthouse-shooter-s-second-appeal-denied-11153644.php On November 27, 2017, the United States Supreme Court denied Granger's petition for a writ of certiorari which challenged the denial of state post-conviction relief by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.High court won’t review Beaumont courthouse shooter case Associated Press November 28, 2017 https://apnews.com/general-news-d53c8d2e95024c3a9c2b684bbd1798d4 Supreme Court won't hear courthouse shooter's appeal Beaumont Enterprise November 27, 2017 https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Supreme-Court-won-t-hear-courthouse-shooter-s-12385895.php On February 24, 2023, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas denied Granger federal habeas relief.Granger v. Director [2023], United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (United States). On July 30, 2024, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the denial of federal habeas relief by the federal district court. On May 19, 2025, the United States Supreme Court denied Granger's petition for a writ of certiorari which sought review of the denial of his federal habeas petition by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/24-6541.html As of 2026, Granger remains on death row at the Allan B. Polunsky Unit. Aftermath Bartholomew Granger was noted to be one of the most infamous criminals in Southeast Texas.Before and After: Infamous SE Texas defendants Beaumont Enterprise May 15, 2018 https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Before-and-After-Infamous-SE-Texas-defendants-12916572.php By June 2013, Granger was one of five convicts from Southeast Texas to be held on the state's death row.Southeast Texas and Death Row Beaumont Enterprise June 12, 2013 https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/southeast-texas-and-death-row-4596211.php In 2017, five years after the crime, a security guard who worked at the courthouse was approached to speak about the case, and he described the experience as a terrifying one, and recalled the sight of glass doors and windows breaking with the bullets that entered the courthouse. Sebolt's daughter also spoke about the incident, and revealed that she continued to tell her children stories about their late grandmother. Sebolt's daughter added that she spoke to the daughter and ex-wife of Granger, and they bonded over the incident given that they were impacted by the aftermath of the shooting, and she said she could not forgive Granger for killing her mother.Jefferson County Courthouse deadly shooting five years later KENS 5 March 14, 2017 https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/jefferson-county-courthouse-deadly-shooting-five-years-later/502-422660103 5 Years Later: Courthouse's Deadly Day Beaumont Enterprise March 14, 2017 https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/5-Years-Later-Courthouse-s-Deadliest-Day-10992969.php See also Capital punishment in Texas List of death row inmates in the United States Texas List of mass shootings in the United States References Category:2012 in Texas Category:2012 murders in the United States Category:Capital murder cases Category:Deaths by firearm in Texas Category:2012 mass shootings in the United States Category:March 2012 crimes in the United States Category:Murder in Texas Category:Violence against women in Texas