FOX 26 News Brief for July 17, 2018

Accused serial killer Jose Gilberto Rodriguez is charged with two counts of capital murder and another count is pending. According to investigators, Rodriguez's spree started eight days ago with a home invasion in Cypress. Police said Rodriguez killed 62-year-old Pamela Johnson inside her home on Friday and stole her car. On Saturday, that car was found at Willowbrook Mall and 28-year-old Allie Barrow was found shot to death at the Mattress Firm across the street. Her car was also missing. Monday morning, Rodriguez is accused of shooting a METROLift van driver, and later that afternoon a man's body was found inside Mattress One on I-45 at Crosstimbers. 

Rodriguez has a violent criminal history. He was out on parole and was living in a halfway house in North Houston.

Officials said Rodriguez followed the terms of his parole until July 5, when his ankle monitor showed signs of tampering. Three days later, it stopped transmitting altogether.

A gas plant explosion at the Western International Plant in Austin County caused a large fire to burn for several hours. Dozens of homes had to be evacuated.

Families of firefighters killed and injured during the Southwest Inn Fire want Houston City Council to formally guarantee that the city won't seek to take back settlement money.