72-Year-Old Woman Killed During Gunfight with Masked Intruders

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

What initially looked like a tragic, chaotic home invasion in northeast Houston has now come into sharper—and uglier—focus. Police say two suspects have been charged with capital murder in the early-morning home invasion that killed 72-year-old Linda Martinez, and the details paint a picture of betrayal, criminal failure, and a system that didn’t stop it in time.

According to Houston police, the shooting happened around 1:50 a.m. on January 26 at a home on Lockwood Drive. Investigators now say the suspects—Richard Mouton, 34, and Tajuana Thomas, 38—weren’t random burglars. Thomas had previously lived at the home after being released from jail and allegedly had a long-running dispute with Martinez over money. Law enforcement sources say Thomas was angry because Martinez had refused to bail her out of jail, something witnesses told police was a frequent point of argument.

Police believe the pair entered the home through an unlocked back door, a door Thomas already knew well. Inside, they allegedly found Martinez asleep on the couch. That’s when things turned violent. Investigators say the suspects, both wearing masks, demanded Martinez’s jewelry while pointing an AR-style rifle at her.

Martinez fought back.

According to law enforcement sources, Martinez fired a revolver, striking Mouton in the face and Thomas in the hip. Despite that, Martinez was fatally shot during the exchange. She later died from her injuries.

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Both suspects survived and remain hospitalized. Mouton in critical condition and Thomas in stable condition. Once released, they’ll be facing capital murder charges.

The suspects’ criminal histories add another layer of frustration. Court records show Thomas was already out on bond for a misdemeanor terroristic threat. Mouton, a convicted felon, had been on parole until 2024 and was arrested again in July 2025 on multiple felony charges, including felon in possession of a firearm, drug trafficking offenses, and evading arrest. He allegedly skipped court four days before the home invasion, triggering arrest warrants just days before Martinez was killed.

This case isn’t about a random act of violence. It’s about known criminals, ignored warning signs, and a woman who was forced to defend herself inside her own home against people she once knew.

Details in this report were first reported by Click2Houston.

One woman is dead. Two repeat offenders are alive. And once again, the question hangs in the air: how many red flags does it take before the system actually works?

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Larry Z

is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.

Experience:

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– Concealed Carry Permit Holder (NYS & AZ) – Trained and licensed to carry in multiple states.
– 2A Journalist – Covering firearms legislation, Second Amendment issues, and gun rights for over a decade.
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