Teen, His Boyfriend, His Mother And Mother's Girlfriend Shot Dead By Grindr Date And Friends

A teenager, his boyfriend, his mother, and his mother’s girlfriend were shot and killed by three men who tried to steal a gun from him.

18-year-old John Clinton, his partner, 47-year-old Jeff Garla, his 39-year-old mother, Ami Hickey, and her partner, 39-year-old Amanda Bain, 39, were found dead on July 20 at Gerla’s home near New Summerfield in Texas.

Three suspects, identified as 20-year-old Jesse Pawlowski, 37-year-old Billy Phillips, and 21-year-old Dylan Welch, have been charged with capital murder.

According to arrest affidavits, Pawlowski told investigators that he entered into a sexual relationship with Clinton and Gerla after he met them through the Dating App Grindr.

He said he had been to Gerla’s home several times and was aware that the couple had multiple firearms, including a handgun that Clinton wanted to sell for $500, the Ranger, Nicholas Castle, said in affidavits.

The suspects planned to steal the handgun instead of buying it, according to the affidavits. Pawlowski told the investigators said that he went to Gerla’s home on Monday night on the pretense of purchasing the handgun.

He said when he went to the property, Clinton, Bain, and Hickey were there as well. After Phillips and Welch arrived, Pawlowski and Clinton walked to the end of the driveway to meet them, the affidavit said.

Pawlowski told investigators that Phillips took the handgun and shot Clinton in the back of the head. He then went to the mobile home and shot the other three, Pawlowski said.

Guns, a vehicle, and other items were reportedly stolen from the property, authorities said.

However, Phillips and Welch claimed that they had no involvement in the slayings. According to the affidavit, Phillips also claimed that he urged Pawlowski to "get rid" of the stolen guns and car.

Pawlowski’s mother told investigators that her son told her that he "shot three people" and Phillips "shot one."

Pawlowski, Phillips, and Welch, are being held at the Cherokee County jail. A $1 million bond is set on each of them.

Gerla’s friend Kevin Fritze remembered his buddy and described him as a person with "a great sense of humor".

"He would always lighten any situation that we were a part of," Fritze told 7KLTV. "He was that light in the room that everybody would turn to for that smile, that laugh."