Owena McHenry, a 78-year-old African American grandmother, was shot to death in her southeast Houston home on January 1, 2020. Neighbors and family say someone fired several shots through her bedroom window earlier that day; police believe the same shooter returned later that evening and fired multiple rounds into her bedroom. McHenry was found by her daughter and grandson around 10:30 p.m. with a gunshot wound to the head. Nothing was reported stolen from the home, and investigators have said they suspect the motive was to kill her.

McHenry had lived in the same house for more than 50 years and was active in her church choir and a seniors group; family and neighbors remember her for her generosity and kindness. Her grandson had been expected to stay the night but arrived too late to prevent the killing. No arrests have been announced and police continue to seek information.

Did anyone in southeast Houston see or hear anything unusual at the home on New Year’s Eve or know of someone who might have been targeting her?