Teen arrested for murder after transgender woman shot dead and left on Houston street

A 17-year-old boy has been arrested after a transgender woman was shot and left on the street in Houston, as police say the second suspect is still at large.

Marisela Castro, 39, was found lying outside a home on Centerwood Street in the North Shore neighborhood just before 2 a.m. on July 29, 2022, according to Houston police.

Castro and another person had just got out of their car when she was shot, police said.

A single shot was fired at the transgender woman, who was hit in the back, reports ABC13.

The two suspects left the scene in Castro’s car before parking the vehicle, police said.

Marisela Castro, 39, was found lying outside a home on Centerwood Street in the North Shore neighborhood just before 2 a.m. on July 29, 2022, according to Houston police.

According to ABC13, police spotted the abandoned car on a jogging track a few blocks away.

The Houston Police Department was able to obtain surveillance video at the time of the shooting, giving them a clearer picture of what was happening.

Police announced on Thursday that a 17-year-old, who was 16 at the time of the shooting, is now in custody for the murder.

However, police believe the 17-year-old was not the one who shot Castro and authorities say they are still searching for the unidentified second suspect.

Since the 17-year-old has been charged in the juvenile court, there is little or no information about him so far.

Police declined to comment on a possible motive.

Castro and another person had just got out of their car when she was shot, police said. The two suspects left the scene in Castro’s car before parking the vehicle, police said

“Unfortunately, that’s how life is sometimes,” said Castro’s brother. “The person committing these crimes is on the street. Sometimes they never get caught, but God will take care of it.”

Castro’s brother, who lives out of state, said the 39-year-old lived with him before moving to Houston.

Elia Chino, executive director of Fundación Latinoamericana De Acción Social, a group that supports Houston’s LGBTQ Latino community, told ABC News in a statement, “I’m so happy law enforcement is finally doing something to find those responsible.” .”

“Our lives matter,” Chino said.

In 2019, 280 homicides were reported in Houston. That number increased in 2020 with 400 reported. In 2021, 465 homicides were reported in the city and 435 homicides were reported in 2022.

Houston Police Department asked anyone with information to call Homicide at 713-308-3600 or anonymously send a tip to Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.