21-year-old accused of following his ex-girlfriend and killing her has turned himself in

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The attorney representing the man accused of shooting his ex-girlfriend to death said the 21-year-old suspect turned himself in on Wednesday.

Dick DeGuerin said Mann Austin Hayes turned himself in at DeGuerin's office at 4 p.m. Wednesday and was taken by detectives from the office to the jail.

The shooting happened on Sunday, Oct. 18, around 2 p.m. in the Cypress area.

According to the Harris County Sheriff's Office, 21-year-old Hayes began following his ex-girlfriend, 20-year-old Julie De La Garza, while she was riding in a truck with her current boyfriend near Spring Cypress and the Northwest Freeway.

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Hayes shot through the back window of the truck, hitting De La Garza in the head, investigators said.

The woman was sent to Memorial Hermann Hospital by Life Flight, in critical condition. On Monday, the family of De La Garza told ABC13 she died due to her injuries.

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Hayes' vehicle, a white Toyota, was found at a parking lot near Skinner Road.

Hayes was originally charged with aggravated assault. Deputies said since De La Garza died, Hayes will now be charged with murder.

DeGuerin said he wrote a letter to the court asking them to put Hayes in protective custody because they are concerned about the gang retaliation against Hayes.

GET HELP: If you need help getting out of a domestic violence situation, call the Houston Area Women's Center 24/7 hotline at 713-528-2121 or call AVDA at 713-224-9911. You can also chat with an advocate online. If you are deaf or hard of hearing and need help, call 713-528-3625.

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