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Man on the run after killing his mother-in-law at Cypress home
Police are searching for a man accused of killing his mother-in-law in front of his kids at a Cypress home.
Deputies are searching for a man accused of shooting his wife’s mother to death at a home in northwest Harris County, the sheriff’s office says.
Authorities identified the suspect as 32-year-old Gregorio Gaitan.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Gregorio Gaitan is asked to call the Harris County Sheriffs Office Office Homicide Unit at 713-274-9100 (Photo: Harris County Sheriff's Office)
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The shooting occurred around 8:50 p.m. Thursday in the 11300 block of Loyola Drive.
Authorities say a woman reported that her husband shot her mother. Deputies with the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office arrived on the scene and found a woman dead in the driveway with apparent gunshot wounds.
"Must have been like six or seven shots," but they were very very loud," said Sergio Gonzalez, who lives across the street.
The wife reportedly told authorities that she and her husband had been having marital difficulties. When she returned home on Thursday, the husband held her and their 6-year-old and 8-year-old children at gunpoint, deputies say.
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Man accused of fatally shooting mother-in-law
The Harris County Sheriff's Office is searching for a man suspected in the deadly shooting of his mother-in-law.
According to the sheriff’s office, the wife was able to make contact with her mother, who responded to the home. Authorities say the husband shot his wife’s mother to death as she approached the home.
The sheriff’s office says the wife and children were able to escape through the back door, and the husband fled the scene before authorities arrived.
"He was angry Thursday morning," said Pete de la Cruz, a friend of the family and next door neighbor. "I know he had gone to work, and when he came back, he seemed pretty upset."
De la Cruz said he noticed something was very wrong hours before the shooting.
"He went into the garage and he got on his phone, and he was talking to someone and he was screaming," said de la Cruz.
He says he never imagined his neighbor was the type to commit a murder.
"He was real good with his kids, trying to work and provide for his family," said de la Cruz.
"You could see them arguing sometimes—I mean that’s every couple—but never to that extent," said Gonzalez.
Gonzalez says he saw Gaytan outside after the shots were fired, but at that time he didn’t realize a murder had happened.
"I guess he must have been looking, ‘cause he kept looking down—he was looking at the body maybe?" said Gonzalez. "And then back into the house. And then come out again. Stand there for a minute and then back into the house. He did like three times."
Deputies arrived minutes later, but they say Gaytan took off on foot and hasn’t been seen since.
According to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, Gaytan is considered armed and dangerous. He is described as a Hispanic male, 5'8" tall and 200 pounds. He reportedly fled on foot wearing a Dallas Cowboys shirt and shorts.
The Harris County Sheriff's Office Homicide Unit is investigating. The sheriff’s office says a charge of Capital Murder is pending.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Gregorio Gaitan is asked to call the Harris County Sheriff's Office Homicide Unit at 713-274-9100 or Crime Stoppers.