PASADENA, Texas — A manhunt is underway for the ex-boyfriend of a woman who was shot and killed outside of her Pasadena apartment.
Police identified Juan Carlos Mata, 20, as a person of interest in the deadly shooting of 19-year-old Lesley Reyes. They said he was at the crime scene but was able to get away.
"The suspect was still on scene and he was walking away. Our officers weren’t able to pursue him because they tended to the victim first and immediately noticed that she was deceased. By the time they tried to go after his location, he was already gone," Pasadena Police Sgt. Raul Granados said.
Family members described Mata as "obsessed" with Reyes and their former relationship as "abusive" and "toxic." Reyes' sister said the couple dated for about a year but didn't realize he was allegedly abusing her until they broke up a month ago.
"She was such a sweet girl. She always did a lot for everyone," said Lourdes Martinez, Reyes' sister. "You would ask her for a favor, she would do it without hesitation."
Police said Mata was at the Oakwood Village Apartments in Pasadena when Reyes got home from work Monday night. They said the two were talking before gunshots rang out, striking Reyes twice. Her parents, who Reyes lived with, heard the shots and ran out to find their daughter dead in the parking lot.
"She loved cars," Martinez said. "That was one of the things about her is that she ended up falling in love with mechanics and how to fix cars."
Lourdes said the family welcomed Mata into their home.
"We did get to meet him and we let him in our home, you know. We were very open to him, and now, he has really just hurt our family a lot," she said.
She said her sister was sad after breaking up with Mata but was working on getting over him.
"She was hurt after the breakup but you could tell she was picking herself back up. She was doing good," she said.
Granados said it appeared as if the shooting was an "ambush attack." He said the department is prioritizing catching Mata because of the danger he poses to the community.
"The most important thing is to try to find him. He’s still out there. He still has a weapon. He’s obviously gonna be considered very dangerous, very volatile. So, we want to make sure that if anybody sees him, call the Pasadena Police Department immediately," Granados said.
Police said they believe Mata is still armed and should not be confronted. Anyone with information on Mata's whereabouts is asked to contact 911 or Pasadena police immediately at 713-477-1511.
Domestic and family violence cases in the Houston area have increased at an alarming rate. Victims often suffer in silence because they feel scared, helpless or ashamed.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, here are some discreet ways to reach out for help.
The Houston Area Women’s Center has a 24-hour hotline for victims of domestic violence at 713-528-2121 or 1-800-256-0551.
The Family Time Crisis Center can also be reached 24 hours a day at 281-446-2615.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
Crisis Text Line: Text START to 88788.