CHANNELVIEW, Texas – A suspect wanted in connection to four brutal slayings in the Houston area was shot and killed Thursday during a shootout with law enforcement officers, federal agents confirmed. A woman, who was also a suspect, was taken into custody.
The two suspects, 48-year-old James Nicholas and 40-year-old Kimberly Cormier, have been linked to several homicides in the area.
Capital murder charges were filed against Nicholas and Cormier, and officers were attempting to arrest them at an apartment complex in the 14200 block of Nimitz.
"You have been charged with capital murder," the judge told Cormier in magistrate court Friday.
Cormier is accused of killing Jose Banilla. The prosecutor said Cormier was spotted on surveillance video when Banilla died.
"Confessed to participating in the murder of the complainant. She also confessed to participating or being present for several other homicides," said the judge.
But Nicholas and Cormier led officers on a high-speed chase, then exchanged a hail of gunfire after crashing their vehicle in the 10200 block of Jacinto Port.
"Members of the Gulf Coast Violent Offender and Fugitive Task Force were attempting to execute a warrant on individuals wanted in four brutal capital murders," said Gary Blankinship, a U.S. Marshal with the Southern District of Texas. "According to preliminary reports we have, the suspects fired first."
Nicholas was killed, but Cormier survived. After she was arrested, Cormier said Nicholas was the person responsible for several homicides. Three of the victims were shot to death at their homes and their bodies were found by loved ones.
On Sept. 2, a man arrived to his apartment on Alderson Street and found his girlfriend, 26-year-old Kathrine Gingrich, lying dead on the floor. The man ran to his aunt's home, which was down the street, and the two of them called 911.
When deputies arrived, they learned the man's girlfriend was good friends with Johnny Holcomb, 33, who lived in the neighboring apartment. Investigators went next door to question Holcomb, but he did not answer.
When deputies looked through a window, they saw Holcomb's body. Both friends had been shot to death.
Then on Sept. 8, Jose Bonilla's body was found at his home on Walsh Stone Lane. He had been tied up, then shot. His roommate made the discovery. Bonilla was a self-employed automobile broker and would often conduct sales transactions from his home.
On the day of his death, neighbors reported seeing a man and a woman at his home between 8:15 a.m. and 9 a.m. They were driving a light-colored four-door sedan.
Further investigation led authorities to Nicholas and Cormier, which led to the chase and shootout. The suspects were driving a vehicle stolen when Bonilla was murdered, investigators said.
Cormier also said Nicholas was tied to a fourth homicide.
The specific details of that case were not immediately available.
The motives for the shootings were unknown.
Cormier suffered minor injuries in the crash. She was being held in the Harris County Jail with no bond.