Investigators now think the getaway car used in the murder at the Westview Forest apartments was actually stolen in another robbery that happened earlier this morning. Residents there say it's not uncommon to hear shootings, so at first, they didn't think anything of it.
Mauricio Sorto says he heard gunshots just before 5am Sunday, sounds he's heard many times before. But this time, it was coming from right outside his apartment.
"All of the sudden, I heard a shot a looked outside and there were two guys standing there and one of them was slumped over the car like this," he told us.
Sorto says he didn't see any blood and just thought the man was drunk and passed out. It wasn't until a police officer showed up at his door, asking what he knew that he realized something was wrong.
"Complainant found laying on the ground with one gunshot wound," said J.R. McGalin with HPD homicide.
Houston police say the man, who has yet to be identified, was standing outside his car when two men tried to rob him. When the victim resisted, one of the suspects shot at him multiple times, killing him.
"Thank goodness they didn't shoot towards my apartment," said Sorto.
"Couple witnesses said it was a dark SUV, black, either Expedition, Explorer that fled the location," said McGalin. "We believe it's been involved in several other robberies and the vehicle may have been taken in a robbery."
That's unsettling news to the father of five, who says more security is needed at the Westview Forest apartments, though this may be the last time bullets fly too close to home. Sorto says after nearly eight years of living there, it's time to move.
Police say they may have identified one of the suspects.
Police say the shooters were driving a black Chevy Tahoe with Texas license plate 30T-NM5. Police believe the SUV was stolen in another aggravated robbery early Sunday morning. If you know anything about the case, call Crime Stopper at 713-222-TIPS. You could earn a cash reward.
