Update on Incident at 13000 North Freeway

February 21, 2007 -- A suspect has been arrested in the fatal shooting of a woman at 13000 North Freeway (Interstate 45) service road about 11 a.m. on Saturday (February 17).

The juvenile suspect, 15, has been referred to Harris County Juvenile Probation authorities on a charge of manslaughter. He is accused in the killing of Jeni M. Padilla, 17, who suffered a gunshot wound to the back and was taken to Christus St. Joseph Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant C.E. Elliott and Officer J.C. Bonaby reported:

Ms. Padilla was the front right seat passenger in a green Honda Accord that was traveling south on the North Freeway service road from Rankin Road. The juvenile suspect was sitting in the back seat, behind the victim, handling a semiautomatic pistol when it discharged. The bullet penetrated the front seat and struck the victim.

The driver of the vehicle and suspect took Padilla to a local hospital. The driver, witnesses and suspect initially lied about how the shooting occurred, but after questioning changed their stories and told the truth. The pistol was said to be thrown out of the vehicle near the North Shepherd curve, however a search of the area was not successful.

Anyone with information regarding this case or the location of the pistol is asked to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600.

Update GO/JFC 2-21-07
GO/JFC 2-18-07
Inc #024012807

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.