The father of most of Colencia Davidson’s children is charged with her murder and was the man investigators say was caught on surveillance cameras.
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — Mother’s Day balloons and other items now mark the spot in northeast Harris County where 39-year-old Colencia Davidson was shot and killed a week ago Sunday night.
“She would have been 40 next week,” said cousin Sandra Davidson.
The mother of 10 and TDCJ corrections sergeant had just gotten home from a night out with friends when investigators said a man caught on surveillance cameras shot her 12 times before leaving the scene with a gun in his hand.
They quickly identified him as 44-year-old Thomas Sonnier, the estranged father of all but one of Davidson’s children.
“It was a shock,” Davidson said. “I never would have expected to get a call like that.”
Davidson, who told us Colencia was more like a sister, spoke with us on behalf of the family.
“She loved her children,” Davidson said. “Her children were her top priority. Everything she did was for them. She was a good, positive person, laughed, got along with everybody.”
Everybody, that is, except for Sonnier, whom she was with for some 20 years.
Officials described it as “toxic” and “tumultuous” during a recent court appearance.
“I know I’ll probably never get the answer that I want, but why?” said Davidson.
Davidson said Colencia recently got a promotion at work and would even do food deliveries on the weekends in an attempt to permanently cut ties with Sonnier.
“She just wanted to be happy and take care of her children,” Davidson said. “That’s all she wanted to do.”
Davidson’s children, the youngest of whom is just a toddler, are left without their mom and, effectively, their father.
Davidson’s family is attempting to get custody of her youngest children, who are now staying with Sonnier’s family in Port Arthur. We were unable to reach them.
Thomas Sonnier is being held on a $1,000,000 bond.
A GoFundMe was set up to help the family. If you’d like to donate, here’s the link.
Resources for victims of domestic or family violence
Domestic and family violence cases in the Houston area have increased at an alarming rate. Victims often suffer in silence because they feel scared, helpless or ashamed.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, here are some discreet ways to reach out for help.
The Houston Area Women’s Center has a 24-hour hotline for victims of domestic violence at 713-528-2121 or 1-800-256-0551.
The Family Time Crisis Center can also be reached 24 hours a day at 281-446-2615.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
Crisis Text Line: Text START to 88788.