The quiet town of Georgetown, Texas was rocked by a horrifying event involving the death of esteemed retired District Judge Alfred “Burt” Carnes, 74, and his wife, Susan H. Carnes, 74. The couple was tragically found dead in their residence.
Seth B. Carnes, the couple’s 45-year-old son, has been taken into custody and faces capital murder charges in connection with the death of his parents.
A 911 call late on Monday night, January 9, 2024, alerted the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office to a shooting incident at the Carnes’ home near Georgetown, Texas.
Upon their arrival, deputies encountered Seth Carnes leaving the dwelling. The sheriff’s office’s press statement indicates that Seth admitted to the shooting and killing of his parents on the spot.
Inside the home, Burt Carnes was found dead in the living room from shotgun injuries, while Susan Carnes was discovered deceased in a bedroom above the garage.
Seth, who resided with his parents in a garage converted into a living space attached to their house, is currently detained at the Williamson County Jail without bail.
The preliminary investigation suggests that a family dispute spiraled into a violent incident. The probable cause arrest affidavit, as seen by the Austin American-Statesman, said Seth Carnes shared his belief that his mother was attempting to administer a sleeping pill to him, a decision he was resistant to. He was asked if there were additional reasons for his violent action against his mother beyond the sleeping pill issue. He responded, “That’s it.” Inquiring about the rationale behind him shooting his father, he replied, “I’ve just been looking for something and figured I would finish the job.” Following this, Seth communicated his preference to end the conversation.
The 911 call was initially made by the couple’s 19-year-old granddaughter, who has not been identified, reporting that her father had shot her grandfather.
Burt Carnes had a distinguished career on the bench of the Williamson County 368th District Court, serving with distinction for nearly a quarter of a century.
Respected for his integrity and his management of high-profile cases, Judge Carnes originated from a family with strong ties to law enforcement, including an FBI agent father and relatives who served as a Texas Ranger, a Border Patrol agent, and a Wilson County sheriff.
In a 2013 interview with the Austin American-Statesman on his retirement, Judge Carnes stressed his dedication to the rule of law over political considerations. “Early on, I decided that I was going to be a judge, not a politician,” he declared. “You’ve got to follow the law and, within the bounds of the law, do what you think is right.”
Judge Carnes’ contributions were recognized by Texas Representative John Carter, who praised Carnes as a model judge, noted for his hard work, fairness, and deep comprehension of the law.
Susan Carnes, a key figure in the community, was a retired school teacher who had served the Taylor and Georgetown independent school districts.
Commander John Foster of the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division spoke on the devastating impact of this event, acknowledging the profound shock and sorrow it has inflicted on the community.
