The Christmas Shooting - CONNOR HILTON

December 23, 2023. Two days before Christmas. Connor Hilton, 17, invited friends to his Friendswood, Texas home to see his new gun. When Ethan Riley and Ben Bliek arrived, Connor stood up, raised the revolver, and shot both boys in the head. Ethan died on Christmas Eve. Ben survived but was left paralysed. A third teenager locked himself in the bathroom and called 911. Connor told police three different stories: first, self-defence—Ethan attacked him. Then, an accident—the gun just went off. Finally, the truth: "I've had suicidal, homicidal thoughts for so long. I've been planning it." His defence blamed Accutane, the acne medication, claiming it caused drug-induced psychosis. Prosecutors called him evil and pointed to his confession: he'd invited a whole group of friends over—whoever showed up would be his victims. In August 2025, a judge ruled the Accutane defence inadmissible. Connor pleaded guilty and received 50 years. In February 2026, a civil jury found his mother 75% responsible for failing to secure the weapon, awarding the victims' families $60 million. Connor will be eligible for parole in 2050, aged 42.

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