Woman shot to death during argument in NE Harris County

Shooter at first claims self-defense, then admits to planting knife on woman

HIGHLANDS, Texas – Detectives say an argument between roommates lead to a woman being shot and killed overnight in northeast Harris County.

At first the shooter claimed self-defense, but later admitted to planting a knife on the victim to make it look like he was defending himself.

It happened around 1 a.m. Saturday outside of the home at 318 Greenbow Lane near Lochness in Highlands.

Harris County Sheriff's Office deputies said two roommates had an ongoing feud and one of them was in the process of moving out. He brought his friend, 41-year-old Donna Schumaker, to help gather his belongings.

They said Schumaker got in the middle of the roommates' argument, and that's when things took a violent turn.

"I heard that they were talking, fussing back and forth, but of course I didn't hear it because I was asleep, but I did hear the gunshot," said one neighbor.

The neighbor, who didn't want to go on camera, said the sound of the gunshot woke her up. She said she is surprised something like that could happen so close to home.

"You just never know. It is scary," she said. "There are more and more of these shootings and killings and stuff going on."

The gunman, 32-year-old Charles Ivey, initially claimed he shot the woman in self-defense. He told police she pulled a knife on him during the fight and that is when he shot her once with a shotgun.

"An argument ensued. At one point, the female and the male homeowner got into an argument and a knife was brandished by the female, and the male had a shotgun and discharged the shotgun, killing the female," said Sgt. Robert Spurgeon of HCSO Homicide.

Ivey's story changed, however, and later admitted to placing the knife next to Schumaker's body to make it look like self-defense.

Ivey was charged with murder and booked into the Harris County Jail. Saturday evening, Ivey appeared in magistrate court.