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UPDATE: Man accused of killing his mother-in-law in Cypress found with a self-inflicted gunshot, sheriff says

HOUSTONUPDATE:

Deputies have located the man wanted in connection to Thursday night’s killing of a woman on Loyola Drive in Cypress.

Gregorio Gaytan was found Saturday afternoon behind a strip center located near Highway 6 and Settlers Way, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.

Deputies said when the SWAT team was holding a perimeter, a single gunshot was heard. Gaytan was found with what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound and has been pronounced deceased at the scene, Gonzalez said on Twitter.

Sugarland police will handle this scene investigation.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Authorities are searching for a man after officials said he held his wife and kids hostage and fatally shot his mother-in-law.

The incident happened around 8:55 p.m. Thursday at a home on Loyola Drive near Fleur De Lis Boulevard in the Cypress area, officials said.

According to authorities, a woman returned home where she and her children were held at gunpoint by her husband, Gregorio Gayton, 32. Authorities said the wife was able to contact her mother.

Surveillance video shows the moment the mother-in-law pulled up to the home and rushed to the house.

“The mother began banging on the door of the garage demanding that the wife and children be released,” authorities said. “At that point the husband turned his attention to the mother-in-law, came outside and (it) appears he shot her multiple times.”

At some point, the wife and kids were able to escape the home. The video shows what appeared to be the wife and children fleeing the home and getting into an SUV.

One neighbor said he was watching TV when he heard like six or seven shots.

“My son told me that he heard the lady screaming at the kids, ‘C’mon, get in the car. Get in the car’ real loud, you know,” said Sergio Gonzalez. “I went over to the lady to ask if she was OK, and she told me to go back to my house like three times. She was crying. She was panicking.”

Another neighbor said the incident is an unbelievable tragedy.

“They seemed to be a happy couple. The children were always outside. (I) never had any issues with them,” said Pete De La Cruz. “He needs to give himself in and face the consequences.”

According to authorities the couple had been having marital issues. Gayton fled the scene wearing a Cowboys shirt and shorts before deputies arrived, authorities said.

Officials said a capital murder warrant has been issued for his arrest. Deputies said Gayton is considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477) or the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Division at 713-274-9100.


About the Authors
Daniela Sternitzky-Di Napoli headshot

Daniela Sternitzky-Di Napoli has been a digital news editor at KPRC 2 since 2018. She is a published poet and has background in creative writing and journalism. Daniela has covered events like Hurricane Harvey and the Astros World Series win. In her spare time, Daniela is an avid reader and loves to spend time with her two miniature dachshunds.

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