The murder happened Tuesday on a sidewalk just feet away from her child's school and in view of other children and parents. Police say 24-year-old Yoli Perez was walking to Emerson Elementary School to pick up her 7-year-old daughter.
"We were walking home yesterday as we saw it. My son, well he was a little frightened," said parent Jessica Machado.
Parents dropping off their kids at school Wednesday morning recalled hearing four gunshots, and a short time later they heard police cars and an ambulance
"I knew it was something bad at that point," said parent Cloey Orphey.
"My wife just told them that, because they saw the ambulance and the cops come by and she just told them that somebody got hurt, and hopefully they'll be alright," said parent Nathaniel Orphey.
Perez was pronounced dead at the scene. Her family says she had recently moved here from Honduras, and had actually been shot at recently in the same neighborhood.
"A lot of moms walk that way over here, and what was the reason? We don't know," said concerned parent Mayra Martinez.
"I pray for the little girl and her family because it's very sad. I've lost my mom and my dad and I was older. But at seven, I couldn't imagine," said Cloey Orphey.
Police have released a description of the suspect. Authorities say he looked to be in his 20s, about 5'6" and was seen running west from the scene.
Anyone with information about the identity of the suspect is asked to contact Crime Stoppers of Houston at (713) 222-TIPS (8477).
Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for any information called in to the 713-222-TIPS (8477) or submitted online at www.crime-stoppers.org that leads to the filing of felony charges or arrest of the suspect in this case. Tips can also be sent by text message. Text TIP610 plus your tip to CRIMES (274637). All tipsters remain anonymous.
