Texas woman, 29, shot dead while setting up garage sale to pay for anniversary trip with husband
Elizabeth Barraza was outside her home at 7am when an unidentified person pulled up to her house, exchanged a few words, and then shot her multiples times
Warning: Disturbing content
Law enforcement in Texas reported that a woman who was setting up a garage sale to help pay for an anniversary trip with her husband was shot dead at point-blank range.
Around 7 am January 25, Elizabeth Barraza, 29, was getting ready for the sale in the driveway of her Tomball home when an unidentified individual emerged from a black pickup truck, exchanged a few words with her before opening fire and bolting from the scene, according to Click 2 Houston.
Distraught husband Sergio Barazza said at a news conference that his beloved wife was pronounced dead at Memorial Hermann Hospital, the same place where the pair had spent countless hours volunteering and doing charity work, the New York Post reports.
“My wife, Liz, was a beautiful person with the kindest of souls,” Sergio Barraza said. “Tragically, someone stole that away from us on the morning of January 25. I’d just left for work that morning, and I’m just so happy that the last words I got to say to my beautiful wife were, ‘I love you.’”
“I don’t understand how someone could do this to her,” he continued. “I had to trade our fifth anniversary for her funeral. We need justice for Liz. I need justice for Liz. I love you, Liz.”
Barazza was allegedly trying to make a little extra cash ahead of the anniversary trip with her husband, her father Bob Nuelle said. According to the report, her trip was scheduled two days after she passed. “We never imagined a life without her and we still can’t,” Nuelle said. “We never will.”
Neighbors called 911 after hearing a barrage of shots, they told the station. “It was three gunshots, real fast, one after the other,” local resident Candy Ellis said. “Waited a couple of seconds and then it was another gunshot.”
The following video is graphic.
‘GARAGE SALE’ MURDER MANHUNT: Authorities in Tomball, Texas, are searching for an unidentified gunman caught on a security camera fatally shooting Elizabeth Barraza, 29, while she started setting up a garage sale in her driveway. @marcusmoore reports. https://t.co/h0j7iHeIBq pic.twitter.com/bLjtpwtlQN
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) February 8, 2019
That said, authorities from Harris County Sheriff’s Office are still trying to determine whether the attack was targeted or random, and whether the shooter was a man or a woman. Anyone with pertinent information that could help the charging or arrest of the person responsible will be awarded $20,000 by Crime Stoppers of Houston.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez told Click 2 Houston, “You have my word we’ll do everything possible to bring justice to Elizabeth’s killer."
According to reports, Barraza was an ardent fan of Star Wars and Harry Potter, and over 100 loved ones and supporters were seen last week waving lightsabers and wands at a memorial service held for her. Any funds raised via crowdfunding will be donated to the Peter Mayhew Foundation — named after the actor who portrayed Chewbacca in the Star Wars saga.
