PASADENA, Texas -- Family and friends of a 75-year-old man affectionately known as "Gene the dancing machine" tried to make sense of his violent death over $15, KPRC Local 2 reported Saturday.

Pasadena police said a 19-year-old and a 15-year-old stabbed Eugene Palma to death at the request of Dannette Gillespie, the 15-year-old's mother.

"Something happened to that family, the morals of that family just were broke," said David Palma, the victim's son. "It's a shame because the same effect that's happening to our family is probably going to happen to their family tree, too."

Palma's family is relieved the Pasadena Police Department was able to capture all three suspects so quickly.

Gillespie, 38, her daughter, and Vanessa Ocampa were in custody by Thursday and charged with capital murder on Friday.

Palma's friends and family only have their fond memories.

"He opened a bar when he was 71 and we looked at him like you were supposed to be in a retirement home by now," David Palma said. "When it opened it up and it kicked off real well, he turned 20."

Neighbor Scott Taney said Palma's killing has angered many in the community. It was especially hard for Palma's customers at his bar named "Gene's Better Times."

"A lot of people down there are really upset because he wasn't just an owner, he wasn't just a boss, he was a friend," Taneyu said. "A lot of people are going to miss him."

Although all of the suspects are behind bars, David Palma said his family may never find justice.

"What would I want to happen? For it not to have happened," he said. "There's no justice in my mind that can ever be served to take this back."

Gillespie gave knives to her daughter and Ocampo, and then waited in the back seat of their car while the teens robbed and killed Palma, according to a probable cause warrant.

Palma was found stabbed several times in the driveway of his suburban Houston home Wednesday. He did not know the women, Pasadena police said.

Ocampo told police the three had been looking for someone to rob that morning, according to the warrant.

Ocampo told investigators they went to the bar and followed Palma home when he left. Gillespie handed knives to her daughter and Ocampo and "encouraged them to commit the robbery," police said.

Gillespie's daughter and Ocampo ran to Palma's garage and stabbed him several times. They went through Palma's pockets and car in search of money and Ocampo took $15, according to the document.

Gillespie allegedly waited in the back seat of the car for them and got rid of the knives. A palm print on the driver's side door of Palma's car led police to the women, authorities said.

The three suspects were being held without bond.

There will be a viewing for Palma on Monday at Fairmont Funeral Home in Pasadena. He will be laid to rest on Tuesday.