Owen Leonardo Vilanova-Ardon charged with capital murder in the carjacking shooting death of Texas woman, Judy Walters in planned murder following disagreement days earlier at victim’s apartment complex.
‘Ultimately, everyone wants justice.’ A family has been left hopeful following the arrest of a 17-year-old Texas teen in relation to the shooting death of a 65-year-old grandmother during a carjacking on Valentine’s Day.
Owen Leonardo Vilanova-Ardon upon his arrest on Tuesday was charged with capital murder in relation to the gruesome death of Judy Walters. The woman was not only shot dead by her two male attackers but also run over as her two teen assailants drove off with her stolen vehicle.
On Feb. 14, police responded to a shooting at an apartment complex in the 800 block of Yorkchester Drive just before 8 a.m. according to the City of Houston.
Surveillance video released by Houston police shows the moment two suspects, who were described only as young males with medium complexions and wearing black bandanas, leaving the apartment complex in a car belonging to the victim who they had allegedly moments earlier shot to death, before running over her body.
Responding authorities found Walters dead in the parking lot, according to HPD.
Targeted deliberate killing?
The day after she was killed, Walters’ car, a white 2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross was found in the abandoned Sugar Hill Golf Course’s empty garage at 11996 Bissonnet St., which is about 10 miles away from where Walters died, according to police.
Surveillance footage showed the suspects possibly waiting at least eight hours for the victim, cops said according to KTRK. Police think the pair targeted Walters. Authorities previously suggested that the slain woman knew the suspects.
The woman’s family is now hopeful that justice will be served following the arrest of one of her two assailants.
‘Ultimately, everyone wants justice,’ Walters’ son, Brandon told KTRK. ‘There was some relief to know they had gotten somewhere and did what they said they would do.’
‘They need life (sentence). The max penalty they can get regardless of who it was because it’s not like she was going to fight back, it’s not like she knew it was coming,’ Walters’ grandson, Hunter, who was living with her at the time, said.
‘We want everyone involved to get the same penalty, the maximum penalty,’ Walters’ daughter-in-law, Ashley, said.
Police said the second suspect is still being sought.
2ND UPDATE: Officers have located the female victim’s vehicle abandoned in an empty business garage at 11996 Bissonnet St.
These are the 2 WANTED male suspects. 1 appears to be wearing a Champion hoodie.
Tips: HPD Homicide 713-308-3600 or @CrimeStopHOU for a reward. #HouNews https://t.co/u22hj3edkz pic.twitter.com/8vzlofOYTZ
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) February 15, 2023
Did an argument between assailants and victim two days earlier lead to deadly carjacking?
‘They didn’t want her money. They didn’t want her purse. They didn’t want her car. They didn’t want her rings, jewelry, or laptop. They wanted her life and we want theirs,’ Brandon said.
Police believe the suspects might have been involved in some disagreement with Walters.
Walters’ eldest son spoke to ABC13 and said he believed an argument that happened on Feb. 12 may have led to his mother’s murder. It remained unclear how the suspects came to know their victim and the moments leading up to the alleged dispute and her ‘targeted’ killing.
Neither police or court documents have revealed a possible a motive at this time, officials said.
Vilanova-Ardon remains held without bond since he’s charged with capital murder.
Anyone with information on the identity or whereabouts of the wanted suspect is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or speak anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
