In Mansfield, Texas, a family is grieving the loss of three members, including an 8-year-old girl, who were victims of a triple homicide in Georgetown on Saturday night.

Georgetown authorities were alerted to an apartment on Luther Drive, located off Interstate 35 Frontage Road near Leander Road, at about 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. Upon arrival, police discovered three individuals inside the apartment with multiple gunshot wounds.

The victims were identified as 34-year-old Alonzo Hawkins, 39-year-old Doneisha Brooks, and Doneisha Brooks’ 8-year-old daughter, Olivia Brooks.

Their loved ones say that Hawkins was nicknamed “Trouble” by his family, and Doneisha Brooks was nicknamed “D.”

Doneisha Brooks’ family says she and her daughter moved from Mansfield to Central Texas for a fresh start.

Kayla Brooks, the sister-in-law of Doneisha Brooks and aunt to Olivia Brooks, expressed deep sorrow, saying, “Olivia was everything to her mother. Doneisha was fiercely protective, like a mama bear, and was the centerpiece of our family, holding us together like a matriarch.”

Alma Ford, a cousin of Doneisha Brooks and Alonzo Hawkins, talked about what she’ll always remember about Hawkins.

“Alonzo, he was funny,” Ford said. “He kept you laughing even when you [were] sad. He knew how to make you laugh with his jokes.”

Joe Brooks, Doneisha Brooks’ brother and Olivia Brooks’ uncle, said Hawkins also followed his cousin to Central Texas. 

“‘D brought him to Georgetown to get him a better life,” Joe Brooks said. 

Those dreams have now been dashed, and family members are devastated, especially considering Olivia Brooks’ age. 

In her grief, Kayla Brooks added, “It’s unimaginable that someone could harm a child. Olivia was innocent, intelligent, and so dearly loved. We feel trapped in a nightmare, yearning to wake up and reunite with them.”

Authorities suspect the perpetrator had a connection to the victims. A person of interest has been identified, yet no arrests have been made at this point. The investigation is being supported by the Texas Rangers, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

“We want the justice for all three, but at the same time, it’s a child,” Ford said. “She did not deserve … She didn’t deserve it.”

As investigators search for answers, the family says that is all they have left to wait for.

Kayla Brooks shared the family’s struggle, “We are trying to put our lives back together, but it feels impossible. We’ve lost an irreplaceable member of our family, and we are uncertain of how to move forward from this tragedy.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call the Georgetown Police Department at 512-930-3510 or submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers online or by calling 1-800-252-8477.

The family has also started a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses. Anyone interested in donating can do so here.