Linda Martinez, 72, was killed in her Houston home during an early morning confrontation on January 26, 2026. The incident began about 1:50 a.m. on Lockwood Drive, where Martinez was sleeping on her couch when two masked intruders entered through an unlocked back door. The intruders were later identified as 34-year-old Richard Mouton and 38-year-old Tajuana Thomas.

Thomas had previously lived at Martinez’s home and reportedly resented Martinez for refusing to bail her out of jail, an issue that had led to frequent arguments. The intruders were armed with an AR-style rifle and demanded Martinez’s jewelry. Martinez retrieved her revolver; a shootout followed in which she shot Mouton in the face and Thomas in the hip. Martinez died at the scene from her injuries. Both Mouton and Thomas were taken to the hospital and have been charged with capital murder; Mouton was a convicted felon who had been out on bond and had a recent warrant for failing to appear in court.

Did anyone in the neighborhood see activity at Martinez’s home around 1:50 a.m. on January 26?