Maria Ramirez, 59, was fatally shot on January 20, 2024, at about 1:40 a.m. while stopped at a red light at West Gulf Bank Road and North Houston-Rosslyn Road in Houston. She had been returning from a night out with a 55-year-old female passenger; the passenger was unharmed. A shot reportedly came from a silver Ford F-150, striking Ramirez. Her car rolled through the intersection, over a curb and into a parking lot where it struck a dumpster. Passing motorists called 9-1-1, and Ramirez was pronounced dead at the scene.

Houston Police Department detectives later identified 57-year-old Wydell Dupree Jones as the suspect. Jones was arrested on January 30 and charged with murder; he was also charged with possession of a controlled substance after being found with methamphetamines. Investigators reported Jones and Ramirez were strangers and that there was no apparent motive; Jones said he believed he was being followed but police found no evidence to support that. Ramirez’s father, Ruben Salazar, described her as joyful and loved by family and community and said the family wants justice.

If anyone saw the silver Ford F-150 near that intersection around 1:40 a.m. on January 20, or has other information about the shooting, please share what was observed.