Did a Texas Teen's Acne Treatment Trigger a Deadly Shooting?

Just before 9 p.m. on December 23, 2023, police responded to a distress call in Friendswood, Texas.

OFFICER (bodycam): What happened?

CONNOR HILTON: I screwed up so bad.

OFFICER: Somebody hurt?

CONNOR HILTON: (nods)

OFFICER: Who's hurt?

CONNOR HILTON (holding up two fingers): Two people.

OFFICER: Two people... Where are they at in the house?

CONNOR HILTON: They're in the walkway. They're in the walkway. (crying)

Upon entering the home, officers discovered 18-year-old Ethan Riley and 19-year-old Benjamin Bliek on the floor, each with a gunshot wound to the head.

15-YEAR-OLD (bodycam): Hello?

OFFICER: Who's in here?

15-YEAR-OLD: I'm the caller in the bathroom.

As officers continued their investigation, they found the 15-year-old who had called 911.

OFFICER (bodycam): Open the door. Let me see your hands.

15-YEAR-OLD (opening door): It's just me. I'm on crutches.

OFFICER: Pull your shirt up. Let me see the back. Turn around.

The teen recounted how quickly events escalated.

15-YEAR-OLD (bodycam): We were literally in the house for not even two minutes when I heard two loud gunshots... and then everything went quiet. Connor was like, "What have I done?" and started crying. I thought he was going to shoot through the door or something...

Paramedics arrived and found signs of life in Ben and Ethan, working desperately to save them.

OFFICER (bodycam): Where's the gun at, bud?

CONNOR HILTON: I really have no clue.

Outside, police bagged Connor's hands for evidence before placing him in a squad car.

CONNOR HILTON (bodycam): I need to be put in a mental hospital.

Initially, Connor claimed self-defense during an argument with Ethan, but as the night unfolded, his story began to shift dramatically.

At home, Connor's mother, Johnece Hilton, received alarming news from a neighbor while she was en route home.

Johnece Hilton: I saw yellow tape and police cars everywhere...

OFFICER: I'm going to talk to you about something that's going to be very hard to talk about.

JOHNECE HILTON: OK.

The police informed her of the tragic events that had transpired involving her son.

Neal Hilton, Connor's father, was equally shocked by the news.

Neal Hilton: Never in a million years would you think you would get that kind of phone call...

Ethan and Ben were rushed to local hospitals, fighting for their lives as their families awaited updates. Detective Nick McCanless was tasked with notifying Ben's mother, Shannon Bliek.

Det. Nick McCanless: I called her and said, "Look... your son has been injured..."

Shannon Bliek: I just started praying...

When Shannon arrived at the hospital, she was met with devastating news about her son’s condition.

Shannon Bliek: The doctor told me that Benjamin had been shot in the head... It was all very surreal... I just kneeled on the floor and prayed.

Meanwhile, Connor was taken to the Friendswood Police Department for questioning, where he continued to express confusion and remorse over the incident.

CONNOR HILTON (in police car): Where am I being transported to?

OFFICER: Friendswood.

CONNOR HILTON: Are you having a good Christmas, officer?

The interrogation revealed a complex emotional landscape as Connor shifted his narrative multiple times throughout questioning. Initially claiming it was an accident, he later confessed to having long-standing suicidal and homicidal thoughts.

CONNOR HILTON (police interview): I need to be honest with you guys... I've had suicidal, homicidal thoughts for so long... I went up to Ethan and just... (simulates shooting) I'm sorry for lying to you guys.

This admission led investigators to explore Connor's mental health history and his use of Accutane, an acne medication linked to severe side effects including depression and aggression. His defense team began investigating whether this medication played a role in his actions that night.

Dr. Doug Bremner, an expert on isotretinoin (the generic form of Accutane), testified about its potential psychiatric effects. He stated that Connor experienced significant changes after starting the medication, including increased aggression and suicidal ideation.

Dr. Doug Bremner: There’s a large number of people who have experienced side effects from it... including psychiatric side effects.

The defense argued that Connor’s behavior changed drastically after he began taking Accutane, leading to his violent actions on that fateful night. However, prosecutors contended that Connor acted with intent and malice, pointing to his initial claims of self-defense and his online activity that suggested premeditated thoughts of violence.

Kayla Allen, the lead prosecutor, maintained that Connor was aware of his actions and had planned them out beforehand, dismissing the defense's claims as an attempt to evade responsibility for his actions.

Kayla Allen: He knew right from wrong... He wanted to kill them... There are just people that are evil and do evil things.

The case took a significant turn when prosecutors offered Connor a plea deal of 50 years in prison if he pleaded guilty to murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon—an offer he ultimately accepted after discussions with his family about avoiding a lengthy trial.

The plea hearing revealed deep emotional scars for all involved as victim impact statements were made by Ethan’s family and Ben’s mother, who expressed their grief and anger towards Connor for his actions.

Ben Bliek: First of all, stop sniveling... You did this to yourself... The grief you have caused will never be forgiven.