| 2012 Waller killings | |
| Location: | Waller, Texas, U.S. |
| Date: | March 20, 2012 |
| Timezone: | CDT |
| Target: | Family members |
| Type: | familicide, shooting, triple-murder |
| Weapons: | Shotgun Hi-Point model 995 carbine rifle (unused) |
| Fatalities: | 3 |
| Injuries: | 0 |
| Victims: | Rhonda Wyse Sesler Mark Alan Sesler Lawton Ray Sesler Jr. |
| Perpetrator: | Trey Eric Sesler |
| Verdict: | Plead guilty to all charges |
| Charges: | Capital murder (3 counts) |
| Motive: | Plans to perpetrate a school shooting |
The 2012 Waller killings, also known as the Sesler family murders took place on March 20, 2012, when Trey Eric Sesler, a 22-year-old YouTuber, shot and killed his parents and older brother in Waller, Texas. He had planned to perpetrate a school shooting at Waller High School after murdering his family. Police were called to the family home at 1 p.m. the same day and found the bodies of his mother Rhonda Sesler, his father Lawton Sesler and his brother Mark Sesler.[1] Investigators say that Sesler was heavily inspired by the Columbine High School massacre.
On Monday, March 19, 2012, someone reported gunshots coming from the family home; however, nothing was discovered by police when they arrived.[2]
At some point before 1 p.m. the following day, Sesler lured his mother Rhonda Sesler to the garage and shot her at point blank range with a shotgun four times. His father is believed to have been asleep at this time. He then walked back inside the home and shot his brother. At this point his father was awoken by the gunshots and was shot.[3] After the shootings, Sesler wrote things such as: "I love my mom, dad and brother" and "God forgive me because I cannot forgive myself." all over the family home.[4] Waller police chief, Phil Rehak, described the crime scene as a "war zone".
Sesler loaded his 2010 black Ford Mustang with a Hi-Point model 995 carbine rifle and over 100 rounds of ammunition. He drove to Waller High School, from which Sesler had graduated, and sat in the parking lot before driving to a friends home. Police received a call from family members asking for a welfare check, as they hadn't heard from anyone in the house. Police went to the home at 1 p.m. and the bodies of Sesler's family were discovered and an arrest warrant was issued for him.[5] Sesler was arrested at a friends house in Magnolia, Texas at 9:30 p.m. the same day.[6] [7]
After the shooting, Sesler told investigators that he killed his family as he didn't want them to be ashamed of him perpetrating the school shooting, but backed out as it all became "too real".[8] He was placed on suicide watch within days of his arrest.[9]
After the shooting, Sesler contacted extended family members and apologized for his actions.[10] His cousin, Dr. Robin Warner, said the family did not know about his online activities. Waller residents were deeply disturbed by the case.
The three people murdered consisted of his mother, father and older brother:
Rhonda and Lawton were married for 34 years prior to the shooting. Rhonda worked at The Waller Times and Lawton was a teacher at Robison Elementary School.[12] [13] [14]
Trey Eric Sesler (born 3 August 1989)[15] is a former YouTuber who went by the alias "Mr. Anime".[16] Sesler told investigators that he heavily studied mass murderers and serial killers and had a desire of perpetrating a school shooting at Waller High School.[17]
Sesler admitted to investigators that he committed other crimes prior to the shooting, including killing animals and shooting near schools in the middle of the night.[18] He had no criminal record prior to the shooting. Investigators called Sesler "a classic example of a killer who starts with small crimes and builds up to the unthinkable."[19]
On September 14, 2006, Sesler created the channel "Mr. Anime" and another called "LensCapProductions".[20] Sesler's first few years on YouTube consisted of anime series reviews on his Mr. Anime channel and skits on his LensCapProductions channel.[21] On December 27, 2011, Sesler posted a video telling his fans that he had been diagnosed with pneumothorax. Sesler would regularly show weapons in his now deleted YouTube videos. One month before the shooting, Sesler posted a video titled "Mr. Anime is planning something". In the video, he said he would be taking a "two or three-week break". He never disclosed what he was planning, however, investigators believe he was hinting towards the shooting.[22]
According to authorities, Sesler was heavily inspired by mass murder events such as the Columbine High School massacre and the Virginia Tech shooting, and had researched both events extensively.[23] Investigators found a list that Sesler had created on his computer which studied and graded at least eight serial killers.[24] [25]
Sesler was arrested and charged with three counts of capital murder shortly after the family shooting.[26] On August 2, 2012, Sesler plead guilty to all charges and was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The Waller police chief described the courtroom as "somber" and didn't hear Sesler speak during sentencing.[27]
Many residents of Waller suspected Sesler would receive the death penalty and were disappointed in the sentence handed down.
As of 2024, Sesler is serving his sentence in the Terrell Unit in unincorporated Brazoria County, Texas.[28] Previously, he was located in the McConnell Unit, located in unincorporated Bee County, Texas.[29]