Teen arrested for murder after transgender woman was shot dead and left lying in road in Houston
Teen, 17, is arrested for murder after transgender woman, 39, was shot dead and left lying on road in Houston as police say second suspect still on the loose
- Marisela Castro was found on the road shortly before 2 a.m. on July 29, 2022
- A single shot was fired before the two suspects fled the crime scene in Castro’s car
A 17-year-old boy has been arrested after a transgender woman was shot dead and lying on the road in Houston. Police say the second suspect is still at large.
Marisela Castro, 39, was found on the road shortly before 2 a.m. on July 29, 2022, outside a home on Centerwood Street, in the North Shore neighborhood, according to Houston police.
Castro and another person had just gotten out of her car when she was shot, police said.
One shot was fired at the transgender woman, who was hit in the back, reports ABC13.
The two suspects left the crime scene in Castro’s car before leaving the vehicle on the water, police said.
Marisela Castro, 39, was found on the road shortly before 2 a.m. on July 29, 2022, outside a home on Centerwood Street, in the North Shore neighborhood, according to Houston police.
According to ABC13, police found the car abandoned on a jogging path a few blocks away.
Houston police were able to obtain surveillance video at the time of the shooting that gave them a clearer picture of what happened.
Police announced on Thursday that a 17-year-old, who was 16 at the time of the shooting, is now in custody on capital murder charges.
However, police believe the 17-year-old was not the one who shot Castro and authorities say they are still looking for the unidentified second suspect.
Because the 17-year-old is before juvenile court, little to no information has been provided about him.
Police would not comment on a possible motive.
Castro and another person had just gotten out of her car when she was shot, police said. The two suspects left the crime scene in Castro’s car before leaving the vehicle on the water, police said
“Unfortunately, that’s life sometimes,” Castro’s brother said. “The person committing these crimes is on the street. Sometimes they never get caught, but God will take care of that.”
Castro’s brother, who lives out of state, said the 39-year-old lived with him before moving to Houston.
Elia Chino, executive director of Fundación Latinoamericana De Acción Social, a group that helps Houston’s LGBTQ Latino community, told ABC News in a statement, “I’m so glad law enforcement is finally doing something about finding those responsible. ‘
“Our lives are important,” Chino said.
In 2019, 280 homicides were reported in Houston. That number increased in 2020, with 400 reported cases. In 2021, 465 murders were reported in the city and in 2022, 435 murders were reported.
The Houston Police Department asked anyone with information to call the homicide department at 713-308-3600 or anonymously submit a tip to Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.