Killing of 6 children, 2 adults is latest in a long history of Houston mass killings

Houston's deadliest mass killings David Ray Conley III, 49, was charged with what could be Houston's deadliest single killing: the shooting deaths of two adults and six children in a Houston home. The Bayou City has seen mass killings before. Click through our slideshow to see some of the city's worst...

less Houston's deadliest mass killings David Ray Conley III, 49, was charged with what could be Houston's deadliest single killing: the shooting deaths of two adults and six children in a Houston home. The Bayou City ... more Image 1 of / 44 Caption Close Killing of 6 children, 2 adults is latest in a long history of Houston mass killings 1 / 44 Back to Gallery

The murder of two adults and six children in Houston Saturday night is among the city's deadliest mass killings. It may be the city's deadliest on record.

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The FBI considers a "mass killing" one with four or more victims left dead. According to USA Today, America has seen more than 200 since 2006, and the number has been steadily rising for decades.

In the Houston area, it's happened at least nine times since the 1980s.

In many cases, entire families fall by a killer's gun. Sometimes family members pull the trigger. Sometimes romantic jealousy drivers a shooter to the edge.

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Otherwise, mass murder happens when street crime like robbery and drugs spins out of control.

David Ray Conley, 48, is charged in Saturday's massacre on Falling Oaks Road, in which six children and two adults were killed.

See the photos above to learn more about the deadliest mass killings in Houston history ...