SNYDER, TX — A tragic and deeply disturbing incident has shaken the rural West Texas town of Snyder, where a well-known father and businessman fatally shot his two young children before taking his own life on Monday morning. Authorities have confirmed the victims as 11-year-old Braid Bond and 9-year-old Jake Bond, along with their father, 43-year-old Jason Bond.
According to the Scurry County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched at approximately 8:27 a.m. to a residence on County Road 241 following a 911 call reporting multiple gunshot victims. Upon arrival, they discovered the lifeless bodies of the father and his two children inside the home. All three had suffered fatal gunshot wounds, and investigators later confirmed the case as a double murder-suicide.
Jason Bond was a prominent figure in the community, known for running several local businesses including Custom Welding, Floating J Livestock, and 007 Outdoors. He was also active in the regional cowboy and rodeo community. Friends and neighbors expressed shock at the tragedy, describing him as a devoted father who appeared to love his children deeply.
Hours before the killings, a Facebook post made by Bond offered disturbing insight into his mental state. In the post, he expressed gratitude for his children but voiced frustration over a reported custody dispute. He wrote, “I returned them to my Lord and Savior,” blaming ongoing conflict with his wife as the reason he could no longer go on. The post has since been removed, but it is being reviewed as part of the investigation.
“This is a heartbreaking situation for everyone involved,” said Scurry County Sheriff Trey Wilson. “Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and the entire community. We encourage anyone struggling to seek help—this kind of tragedy affects more than just one home; it leaves ripples across all of us.”
Crisis response teams have been made available in Snyder and the nearby community of Sweetwater, where Bond was originally from. Grief counselors are offering support to residents coping with the unimaginable loss. Meanwhile, law enforcement continues to investigate the circumstances leading up to the tragedy.
Anyone experiencing emotional distress or worried about a loved one is urged to call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for free, confidential help 24 hours a day. Funeral arrangements for the Bond family will be announced in the coming days.
