On Christmas Day, Aziz Yazdanpanah, 56, arrived at his estranged wife's home dressed as Santa Claus to surprise his children. Shortly after the family had finished exchanging gifts, Yazdanpanah opened fire, killing seven people before taking his own life in a murder-suicide.
The victims included his estranged wife, their two teenage children, his wife's sister, her husband, and their niece. He attempted to stage the scene by placing a gun in his deceased brother-in-law's hand to suggest he was responsible.
A whispered plea for help and a statement, "I am shooting people," were captured on a 911 call made during the rampage. Yazdanpanah used two handguns, found under the Christmas tree and among wrapping paper, and most victims were shot multiple times.
Tensions had been noted by the niece in text messages shortly before the incident. Nine months prior, Yazdanpanah's daughter had moved out of their family home due to financial difficulties he was experiencing, including bankruptcy and foreclosure.
He had also expressed animosity towards his sister-in-law, believing she influenced his wife and children against him. Police described the scene as a normal Christmas gathering that turned horrific, noting the absence of forced entry, suggesting the victims had let Yazdanpanah inside.
The event was described as the worst homicide the Grapevine Police Department had encountered.