The man charged with slaughtering six of his ex-wife's relatives had a history of domestic violence on his record, police say.
Ron Lee Haskell, 33, surrendered after a three-hour standoff that started late Wednesday at a home in a Houston suburb. NBC News reports that he had been arrested in 2008 over domestic-related charges.
Haskell allegedly forced his way into his ex-wife's relatives' home Wednesday, and tied up five children, ages 4, 7, 9, 13 and 15. He shot those children and two adults, execution-style, in the back of the head, police say.
The 15-year-old victim survived and was able to call 911. Haskell was arrested after a long standoff at about 10 p.m. The incident was reportedly fueled by a domestic dispute between him and his ex-wife Melannie Haskell, though she wasn't home at the time of the murders.
The couple's problems began in 2008, when they were living in Utah. Haskell was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, simple assault and committing an act of violence in front of children. NBC News reports:
Melannie Haskell told police her husband dragged her out of their bedroom by her hair and hit her in the side of the head.
In 2009, Haskell told police that his wife had left and he believed she was going to harm herself. He followed up, and said he found his wife and was taking her to the hospital, records show.
Then, a year ago, Melannie Haskell filed for an order of protection against him. A judge granted the order, and she filed for divorce the following month.
In October, the Haskells agreed to a mutual restraining order and arranged for mutual custody of their children.
Haskell is charged with several counts of capital murder.
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