3 men hired to clear yard slain; homeowner charged

The victims of a triple slaying over the weekend were helping the suspect clean his yard before he shot them at his Liberty County home, a family member told the Houston Chronicle.

Justin Jordan said he’s the nephew of Odell Wells and cousin of Christopher Wells. He said both men knew the alleged shooter, Andrew Jared Bass, who was arrested Sunday morning on a capital murder charge. Christopher Wells, 20, used to be his neighbor, he said.

Christopher and Odell were with a friend, Walter Clifford Brown, at the time of the shooting. The men were hired to clear Bass’ front yard of a collection of military-style vehicles and equipment, which had been the target of complaints from neighbors, Jordan said.

Bass previously told Jordan’s family members that he served in the military, and Jordan suspects he suffered from a form of PTSD. The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office said they could not confirm that information.

“I don’t understand how someone can be so gruesome and do something like that,” Jordan said.

Christopher Wells spent time with Bass as recently as last week, when Bass took Christopher and his family to a pumpkin patch, Jordan said.

On Saturday, Bass drove Christopher and Odell Wells to his house at 4010 County Road, where they stayed for several hours. At 10:30 a.m., Christopher and his girlfriend exchanged texts that they loved each other.

That was the last anyone heard from him, Jordan said.

“Everything seemed to have been fine,” Jordan said. “(Bass) was going to be bringing them back home soon.”

According to the Liberty County Sheriff ’s Office, deputies were initially called to Bass’ home at 12:10 a.m. Sunday for a possible burglary in progress. When they responded, they found the three men dead with gunshot wounds.

The investigation is still ongoing. Liberty County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Ken DeFoor said Monday that he could not release additional information about the case.

Odell leaves behind a wife of 24 years and two children, Jordan said. Bass remains in Liberty County Jail without bond, records show.

Courtesy of Justin Jordan Odell Wells, left, was one of three men killed over the weekend in a shooting at a Liberty County home, according to a family member. Wells was there with his son and a friend. The three men had been hired to clear the home’s yard of military-style vehicles and equipment.

Courtesy of Justin Jordan Victim Christopher Wells, 20, had previously spent time with the alleged shooter and used to be his neighbor, according to a relative.