Dallas woman sentenced to 60 years in prison after killing her child's grandmother

Dallas woman sentenced to 60 years in prison shooting that killed his child's grandmother at a Starbucks, the Collin County Prosecutor's Office said in a social media post.

Tranisa Watts, 26, of Dallas, was sentenced after pleading guilty to murder on May 21.

On the evening of April 18, 2022, Richardson Police were dispatched to the Starbucks at 1405 E. Renner Road in response to a shooting.

When officers arrived, witnesses pointed to a woman as the shooter, later identified as Watts. She was seen walking past several nearby businesses with a small child in her arms, according to the prosecutor.

Watts was arrested while officers found the victim, Kentoria Edwards, who had suffered a gunshot wound to the chest.

At first, the suspect denied shooting Edwards, but an eyewitness who knew both women told police that Watts shot the victim during an unscheduled visit Watts requested with her child, the post states .

Edwards, the child's grandmother, had custody of the child since he was 3 months old following an investigation by Child Protective Services into Watts' ability to cope. take care of his daughter, according to the prosecutor.

Three years into the CPS investigation, Watts refused to follow a visitation schedule, often showed up unannounced and caused problems, including physical fights with family.

When Watts showed up at Edwards' home the day of the shooting, the grandmother agreed to meet her in a public place with another family member. Watts asked Edwards to stand the child on a table so she could say goodbye. Instead, Watts pulled a gun out of her purse, shot Edwards in the chest and tried to run with the child, authorities said.

In an interview with police, Watts said she acted in self-defense before admitting to shooting Edwards. She also told authorities that the entire family was “always looking for her” and would never let her hold her child. She finally said she had had enough and wanted her child back.

“MS. Edwards was a loving grandmother, mother, wife and sister. She dedicated her life to her family, especially her beloved granddaughter. Watts' unthinkable act of shooting her and murder – in front of Watts' innocent three-year-old child – has broken this family apart. We hope this sentence will bring a measure of justice and give the family the time and space they need to begin the process. healing process,” Collin County Prosecutor Greg Willis said.