A 20-year-old man from Texas fatally shot his 19-year-old ex-girlfriend and then took his own life at the crime scene.
This tragic incident unfolded at the Oakwood Village Apartments in Pasadena, Texas.
The assailant, Juan Carlos Mata, was sought by authorities in connection with the murder of Lesley Reyes. A vigilant individual spotted Mata at the apartment complex and promptly alerted the police.
Upon arriving at the scene, an officer tried to engage Mata in conversation. However, Mata took cover behind a parked car, retrieved a shotgun, and turned the weapon on himself in the presence of the officer. Mata’s death occurred before any charges could be formally brought against him, leaving numerous unanswered questions.
Reyes had been returning home from her job at O’Reilly Auto Parts just before midnight on Monday, June 26. Mata, who had reportedly been waiting for her for hours, ambushed her. After a brief verbal exchange, he shot Reyes in the head before fleeing the scene. The sound of the gunshot alerted Reyes’ parents, who were at home at the time. Her mother attempted to warn Reyes about the danger, unaware that the tragedy had already occurred.
The relationship between Reyes and Mata was described by the family as troubled, marked by unwanted text messages and uninvited visits following their breakup a month earlier. Lourdes Martinez, Reyes’ sister, revealed that Mata had been abusive during their relationship, a fact she only discovered after their separation. Police records showed a single documented incident of a disturbance involving the couple from a year ago, but no domestic violence investigation had been conducted.
Authorities are continuing their investigation, working to piece together the events leading up to this terrible act of violence.