HOUSTON – Homicide detectives with the Houston Police Department have alerted the border patrol as they search for a person of interest in the deaths of a southeast Houston woman and her 2-year-old daughter.
Police are searching for the woman's boyfriend, Jonaton Figueroa, 23, who is considered a person of interest.
Police discovered the bodies of Veronica Mercado and her daughter, Michelle, shortly after 10 a.m. at a home in the 7800 block of Elvera Street at Fennell Street.
Police said Mercado was holding her daughter in the kitchen when they were both shot multiple times. According to officials, there were signs of forced entry into the home.
Police said Mercado and Figueroa were having relationship issues.
Figueroa was last seen driving a maroon Ford Taurus, license plate number CTS3225.
Police said a friend of Figueroa called police after he talked to Figueroa in an attempt to find the missing car, which belongs to the friend.
"When he talked to the person of interest, the person of interest made some statements that made him concerned for the welfare of the deceased victim," Sgt. Mark Holbrook with the Houston police said. "We're asking asking anybody with any knowledge of where Jonaton Figueroa could be to call 911, or call Crime Stoppers, or the Houston Police Departments homicide division."
Mercado, a mother of three, worked at a local bakery. Her co-workers were stunned when they heard the news.Â
"She was really nice. Pretty young lady. She was really a very good lady," a co-worker said.
Neighbors and those who visit the area still can't believe that Mercado and her toddler, Michelle, were shot to death inside their home.
"Just to see that baby getting carried away in that bag," said acquaintance Adrian Murphy, "it touched me."
Friends and neighbors told Channel 2 that Mercado worked at the El Bolillo Bakery on Office City Drive in southeast Houston as a cashier for the past three or four years. They described her as a nice woman who loved her family. Their hope is that whoever mercilessly gunned down the young mother and her youngest child will soon be brought to justice.
"He's a coward. He did what he had to do and he's running away," Murphy said. "He needs to be caught. This guy needs to be really caught."
Police said they had responded to at least one domestic call at the home in the past several months. They also said they've informed border patrol to be on alert as they search for Figueroa.
Mercado also had a 6- and an 8-year-old. Those children were not home at the time of the killings.