A four-year-old girl was fatally shot at a Houston residence on Tuesday, hours after a family court judge reportedly awarded primary custody of the child to her father.
Police said the girl’s mother, identified in court records as Cibelle Savella, allegedly shot her daughter, Vivian, before turning the weapon on herself. The mother survived the apparent suicide attempt and remained hospitalised in critical condition.
The shooting occurred at a townhouse on Terra Reserve Place, where Savella’s partner, Greg Kubala, and a babysitter were reportedly present.
Police Link Shooting to Earlier Custody Dispute
Houston police said the fatal shooting occurred shortly after a custody hearing involving Vivian’s parents.
According to people familiar with the case, Savella had been ordered to hand the child over to her former husband, Aaron Savella, later that day after the judge ruled in his favour.
Houston Police Lieutenant Larry Crowson said the custody hearing had not gone well for the mother before the shooting took place.
The couple had been involved in a lengthy legal dispute over their daughter following the breakdown of their marriage. Their divorce was finalised in 2024, but court battles continued, including proceedings involving protective orders and custody.
Child Found With Fatal Gunshot Wound
Police said officers and firefighters arrived at the townhouse after reports of gunfire and found Vivian suffering from a single gunshot wound.
The child was pronounced dead at the scene.
Savella was also found seriously injured after allegedly shooting herself in the face. She was transported to hospital in critical condition and was expected to survive.
Kubala and the babysitter were reportedly inside the home when the shooting occurred. They heard the gunshots, went upstairs and attempted to provide CPR to the child and her mother before emergency responders arrived.
Father Says Family Is Devastated
Aaron Savella’s attorneys said the father and his family were devastated by Vivian’s death.
In a statement issued through his legal representatives, the family said Aaron had followed the court process and complied with the orders issued during the custody dispute.
The statement said a judge had placed Vivian in Aaron’s primary care on Tuesday and that the child was expected to return home to him that evening.
Instead, the family was confronted with the fatal shooting.
The attorneys described Vivian as a child who was deeply loved by her father and by the people around her.
Parents Had Been Involved in Lengthy Legal Battle
Court records show that Cibelle filed for divorce in November 2022, beginning a legal battle that continued well beyond the end of the marriage.
Aaron subsequently filed a countersuit, and the divorce was eventually finalised in July 2024.
Despite the legal end of their marriage, the former couple continued to appear in court over matters involving their daughter.
Both parties had also sought protective orders against one another, according to the information provided in court records.
Investigation Underway
Houston homicide investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding Vivian’s death and interviewing witnesses who were inside the residence when the shooting occurred.
Detectives are also working to establish precisely what happened between the custody hearing and the shooting later that afternoon.
Police have not publicly provided a full account of the events leading up to the child’s death, and the investigation remains ongoing.
No criminal charges against Savella were detailed in the information available, and any eventual charges will depend on the outcome of the investigation and her medical condition.
Police Urge People in Crisis to Seek Help
Lieutenant Crowson used the incident to urge people experiencing severe mental health difficulties to seek professional assistance before reaching a crisis point.
He acknowledged that police officers are repeatedly confronted with tragedies involving people experiencing mental health emergencies.
The investigation into Vivian’s death continues as authorities work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the shooting.
