Teen charged with shooting mom, dad -- former Miami Dolphins player

HOUSTON – Former Miami Dolphins linebacker Antonio Armstrong and his wife were shot Friday. 

Their 16-year-old son faced capital murder charges for shooting them in their bedroom at their townhome in Houston's Bellaire area. Detectives found a note near the gun that said, "I've been watching you." 

Dawn Armstrong died at the home. She was 42.

Armstrong suffered a gunshot wound to the head. Paramedics took him to Memorial Hermann Hospital where,  according to authorities, he later died.

"This was an outstanding family," Houston police homicide investigator Jimmy Dodson said. "The male in the family was an absolute hard-working breadwinner." 

Police arrested the couple's 16-year-old son, who called 911 about 2 a.m. Friday. The teen played basketball and football at Kinkaid High School and was due to graduate in 2018. He had numerous pictures with a teenage girlfriend on Twitter. 

His 12-year-old sister was at the home when police arrived. She was not injured. Detectives said there were no signs of a struggle and the family didn't have a history of domestic violence. 

Dawn Armstrong's second cousin, Vaun Lee, said they were a "power couple" who were very supportive of their two sons and daughter. Their son Josh Armstrong, 20, plays football for Millsaps College.  

"There was nothing left out. There was no neglect or anything that could even possibly justify the situation," Lee said. "This makes no sense --no sense." 

Armstrong graduated from Kashmere High School in Houston. He was as an All-American linebacker at Texas A&M and was selected by the San Francisco Francisco 49ers in the sixth-round of the 1995 NFL draft. The team released him after an ankle fracture during training camp. 

"He was such a positive influence on his teammates," said R.C. Slocum, his former Texas A&M coach. "He always had a great big smile and was a joy to coach."

He signed with the Miami Dolphins later that year and played one season. He also played in the Canadian Football League for three seasons from 1998 to 2001.

In Houston, he and Dawn Armstrong, who graduated from J. Frank Dobie High School and the University of Texas, co-owned the Armstrong Run First Class Training, a small chain of local fitness centers, in Houston.

Armstrong also posted motivational videos on his "Strong Talk" YouTube channel regularly, and he was an associate pastor. The Armstrong family was active at the Spirit and Life Kingdom Center in Houston.  

"He and his wife and the children have just served over here continually," said Vicky Franco, a church member. "They're just the typical American family. They love their children, and they have taught their children the things of the Lord."

Detectives have not determined a motive for the shooting.

A family friend created a GoFundMe account to raise money for the Armstrong's surviving children.