HOUSTON-- A 79-year-old woman was shot and killed after returning home from a trip to the grocery store Sunday.
It happened at the Landmark Apartments, located in the 2900 block of Barker Cypress in west Harris County.
Police said the woman was removing grocery bags from her car when she was approached by an unknown suspect, who apparently offered to help.
She declined, and moments later, neighbors told police they heard gunshots.
The woman was shot once in the neck.
"I think it’s a shame that it happened here in a very quiet apartment complex," said neighbor Jan Marie Erickson. "I mean something like this has never really happened here."
A nurse who lived nearby rushed out to help, to no avail.
"If the guy wanted to do something, he didn’t have to kill the lady," the nurse, who didn’t want to be identified, said. "It was senseless and he needs to be caught."
The woman was transported to Katy Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Police do not know the motive for the crime or if any property was taken.
Neighbors said the victim was a sweet woman, and they often saw her walking around with her cat.
"You just gotta watch your back wherever you go now," neighbor Mike Erickson said. "It’s a shame. God bless her."
Homicide is investigating.
harley2 said on November 15, 2009 at 1:05 PM
just catch this slim and use the sprit of the law. the letter of the law will not help this 79 year old lady sad
firedog said on November 15, 2009 at 3:00 PM
no more life sentence, just the death penalty. and not after 10 years on death row.
daisymay said on November 15, 2009 at 3:17 PM
OMG! That's horrible, and very close to home. I wonder what time it was and if anyone saw anything. No description of a suspect either. Big man to murder a 79 year old woman. pos.
neisie000 said on November 15, 2009 at 3:47 PM
this is just downright sick
dubie said on November 15, 2009 at 3:55 PM
what a low life s.o.b.
chandra said on November 15, 2009 at 7:10 PM
I knew this sweet, dear lady. She was wonderful! What would she have that someone would want to take? I hope they catch this creep and make him give an eye for an eye. This breaks my heart! I live very close to this place and did not want to see her move there.
wilsonblue said on November 15, 2009 at 8:08 PM
This is down the street from me too. why don't they know if her purse was stolen?
noitall said on November 15, 2009 at 8:13 PM
this person has to be dealt with like a rabid dog , you don't ask the rabid dog if someone was unkind to it as a puppy ,or if it will change when it gets older YOU JUST SHOOT IT IN THE HEAD !
chandra said on November 15, 2009 at 8:20 PM
My friend who looked after her and cared for still hasn't heard anything either. It may be on the news tonight. ???? It scares me because I live alone - might be time to get that gun.
wilsonblue said on November 15, 2009 at 8:49 PM
Well, if someone just walks up and shoots you in the neck I dont think a elderly person could be quick enough to pull a gun. No robbery? Makes me wonder if this is a case of mistaken idenity.
bearfoot said on November 16, 2009 at 7:18 AM
It's time for the FBI, and Harris County to clean up that area of town( Bear Creek, Eastern Katy, and Copperfield.) The punk gangs are taking over. It's awful. I lived in the area for 9 years and seldom was there any violence.
daisymay said on November 16, 2009 at 7:43 AM
Beerfoot, you notice the all the recent graffitti? They're taking over. If they don't get a handle on this PDQ, there will be no going back.
take2 said on November 16, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Terribly sad that this elderly lady was killed by a worthless thug - possibly just for the thrill of it. I propose a two-part solution, consisting of a length of hemp rope and an oak tree. The solution should be performed as it once was, in a public place with plenty of notice to gather a crowd. It was called deterrence.
bashar_teg said on November 16, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Looks like a decent apartment community too. I live in a medium to upscale place and you can just tell by the looks of people if they live there or don't live there. Read what you want into that. I'll bet money that this dirt bag scum did not live at this complex. He probably wouldn't be be able to afford it since he's a scum. I can spot scum from a mile away.
drmhouston said on November 16, 2009 at 11:24 AM
I moved into those apartments shortly after moving to Houston Area. This was just after they opened....I will tell you, I could not wait to move back out..... In the short time I was there I had to deal with; * There was an abandon truck left outside my apartment, no plates, no inspection and tires flat * The gates to the complex were often broken * I came home to 4 squad cars making an arrest for someone breaking into the apartments and the final straw Someone with a management/maintenance key, unlocked my apaprtment door and walked right in on my daughter.....and of coarse the apartment management knew nothing of it get out!!!!
ohmygosh said on November 16, 2009 at 11:33 AM
May she rest in peace. Chandra - does your friend have her cat? Believe it or not, animals do morn and I know it will give this lady peace to know her precious cat is being looked after.
lifeguard said on November 16, 2009 at 11:55 AM
boy this city sure has turned for the worse,24 years here and never seen the constant level of senseless crimes. HPD is 5000 short of staff, The good ole days are over. This country needs to be flushed, lock down the borders and run a massive one by one nationwide investigation, Are you legal? Do you pay taxes? Are you a wanted criminal? If this country wants to remain civil then it has to be done ,otherwise we are not far from a lifestyle like middle east where the coffee shop is exploding, Thats the kind of CHANGE we dont need....
whowants2know said on November 16, 2009 at 12:18 PM
This shooter is nothing more than garbage on 2 legs. This is one where Crime Stoppers needs to put out more than a $5,000 reward on their head. You know somewhere, sometime, their gonna brag about it. Thats how they will get caught. Someone WILL turn them in for money like that. Then, when they are caught, let the trial be swift and let the execution be swifter. No needle...shoot them in the neck too.... AN EYE FOR AN EYE.
chandra said on November 16, 2009 at 1:14 PM
"ohmygosh" - Thanks for your concern. Yes, the cat is being taken care of by someone. Thank goodness! Her cat was her baby, she spoiled her just like a child. It is such a tragedy. We all have to be careful in this time we are living. Sad to say I am sure things are just going to get worse.
texaslady said on November 16, 2009 at 2:32 PM
I just don't get it... Now, you can't even unload your groceries IN THE MIDDLE OF THE AFTERNOON ON A SUNDAY without fear of getting shot. This is crazy!!!
ohmygosh said on November 16, 2009 at 3:20 PM
Thanks for the update Chandra. I know she is looking down and is pleased to know her best friend is being taken care of.
afort said on November 16, 2009 at 5:03 PM
yea yea... sounds like another "hit". probably has a kidd involved in something
dubie said on November 16, 2009 at 5:15 PM
Put the fear back in the death penilty,stop just feeding and housing this kind of trash for 15 to 20 years and then put them to sleep.Bring ole sparky are gallosand hang em, Then they may think about whats waiting on them except dont take so long to get them out of here
godislove said on November 16, 2009 at 11:55 PM
We are not safe no matter where we live. Just because you live in a nice area doesnt mean that the people are not going to cause trouble. I live in this apt complex for about a year but have lived in many different places and nothing like this has ever happened. I dont feel safe anywhere !!! It doesnt matter how much money you have or where you live....we are living in a heartless world. I hope they find this guy and beat his @$$ then punish him to the fullest.
armed said on November 17, 2009 at 4:28 AM
Why don't they have Security in these places