Pasadena shooting: Juan Carlos Mata, suspect in ex-girlfriend's death, is dead, police say

PASADENA, Texas - The suspect in the deadly shooting of his ex-girlfriend has died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Pasadena police say.

Police had been searching for Juan Carlos Mata, 20, since 19-year-old Leslie Reyes was killed in the parking lot of the Oakwood Village Apartments on Pasadena Blvd late Monday night.

PREVIOUS: Pasadena police looking for ex-boyfriend of woman killed in apartment parking lot

Juan Carlos Mata (Photo: Pasadena Police Department)

According to police, around 5:40 a.m. Thursday, officers were dispatched to the complex again after a report of a suspicious male at the makeshift memorial that had been set up for Reyes.

Police say the officer approached the male, who saw the officer, went behind a vehicle, grabbed a shotgun and shot himself. He was later identified as Mata.

DOWNLOAD THE FOX 26 HOUSTON APP

Police say Mata, Reyes's ex-boyfriend, was waiting her as she came home shortly before midnight on Monday.  At some point during their conversation, police say Mata shot the young woman and then fled. Reyes died at the scene.

Leslie Reyes (Photo provided by family)

Police initially described Mata as a person of interest who they wanted to question. However, on Thursday, police said Mata was the only suspect in the case and that a warrant had been issued a few hours before his death.