Suspect, who murdered woman in Northeast Austin, on the run

Austin Police are still looking for the suspect accused of murdering a mother in the Windsor Park Neighborhood. The woman's family and friends want to share what happened to help put the gunman behind bars.

A memorial was held Monday night at the exact spot of where the incident happened. Family and friends were saying prayers and playing music, trying to stay strong.

It's been a nightmare for people living in the Windsor Park Neighborhood. One resident spoke with FOX 7 on the condition that we not reveal who she is.

"I heard that loud gunshot and then he came running down the stairs," says resident.

38-year-old Maria Ferrer-Mena was shot and killed in front of her apartment Monday night.  Her husband is distraught, telling FOX 7 he didn't get a chance to see the suspect's face.        

"We could see her laying in her doorway. So that's when I kind of knew. I couldn't do anything but cry," says neighbor.

Austin Police responded to the 5800 block of Wellington Drive around 9:45 pm. They say Ferrer-Mena was lying on her back with obvious trauma to her head. An autopsy confirms this was a homicide.

"I was scared because I mean, I had my kids. I hurried up and pushed them into the restroom," says resident.

Austin Police are still looking for the suspect. He's described as an Hispanic male with lighter skin, 5'8 to 6'0, skinny build. He was last seen wearing a grey hoodie sweatshirt and black basketball shorts.

"She wouldn't hurt a fly. Then for this to happen, you know, you don't even realize you killed somebody's mom, somebody's daughter, somebody's wife," says resident.

APD says they don't believe the public at large is in any danger. If you have any information regarding the incident you are asked to call the Homicide Tip Line at 512-477-3588 or Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS or text "Tip 103" plus your message to CRIMES.


Update, 3:30 P.M.

The Austin Police Department has identified the victim in Monday's deadly shooting in East Austin as Maria Ferrer-Mena, 38. 

According to police, the shooting occurred just before 10 P.M. on Wellington Drive near Berkman Road. Police found Mena on her back with trauma to the head. She was pronounced dead at 10:06 P.M.

The death was ruled as a homicide after the Travis County Medical Examiner's Office performed an autopsy.

APD said the suspect has not been identified but released the following description: Hispanic male, standing 5'8 to 6'0, with a skinny build and light skin completion. He was last seen wearing a grey hoodie and black basketball shorts.

Police are asking anyone with information of the suspect or the shooting to call the Homicide Tip Line at 512-477-3588 or Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS or text "Tip 103" + your message to CRIMES.


The Austin Police Department is on the lookout for the person who shot and killed a woman overnight in East Austin. It happened at Mueller Place Apartment Complex on Wellington Drive near Berkman Drive just before 10 p.m. on June 13.

Police say they received multiple 9-1-1 calls just seconds after the shooting happened. When officers arrived on the the scene they found a Hispanic woman dead.

The identity of the woman has not been released yet as the investigation into what led to the shooting continues.

Police say the shooting happened very quickly and it's unclear if the victim knew the shooter. They hope witnesses will come forward with a suspect description so they can make an arrest.

Police are also looking for nearby security cameras in the hopes that one of them may have captured an image of the suspect. 

Anyone with information is urged to call APD immediately.