Former Texas A&M All-American Antonio Armstrong, wife killed

ByABC News
July 29, 2016, 9:20 PM

— -- Former Texas A&M All-American linebacker Antonio Armstrong and his wife, Dawn, were shot and killed early Friday in their Houston home.

Their 16-year-old son has been charged with capital murder in the deaths, the Harris County District Attorney's Office told KPRC in Houston.

Officers discovered the wounded couple at approximately 2 a.m. Friday. Dawn Armstrong died at the scene, and Antonio Armstrong was pronounced dead at Memorial Hermann Hospital hours later with a gunshot wound to the head.

Antonio Armstrong was a letterman who played for the Aggies from 1991 to 1994. In a statement Friday, Texas A&M described him as a cornerstone of the "Wrecking Crew" defense. He was named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award as a senior after leading the Southwestern Conference in quarterback sacks and tackles for loss, and was named a first-team Associated Press All-America linebacker in 1994.

Armstrong was selected in the sixth round of the 1995 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers. An ankle fracture in training camp led to his release that October. He then signed with the Miami Dolphins and played in four games that season, logging four solo tackles.

Armstrong also played three seasons in the CFL.

The Armstrongs owned and operated a small chain of fitness centers in the Houston area.

R.C. Slocum, who coached Armstrong at Texas A&M, issued a statement on his death.

"Antonio was a special young man. He was an All-American and an outstanding player, but he was an even better person," Slocum said. "He was such a positive influence on his teammates. He always had a great big smile and was a joy to coach."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.