Man charged with murder in connection with shooting death of pregnant teen

HOUSTON – The man wanted in connection with the death of a pregnant woman has been officially charged.

Justin Herron, 31, is charged with capital murder in the shooting death of Patra Perkins, who was eight months pregnant with his child, according to family members. 

Perkins' body was found around 11:30 p.m. Sunday in a room at the HomeTowne Studios in northwest Houston on Guhn Road near Fawndale Lane.

According to the autopsy report, the 18-year-old had eight gunshot wounds. Police said there were 16 shell casings were found inside the room, which was rented under Herron’s name.

Family members told KPRC 2 Perkins was excited to be a mother and her baby shower had been planned for Aug. 11. Now they are planning a funeral.

“She had so much to live for," Perkins' sister, Kesharra Perkins said. "And the child ... we will never see our nephew. He will never get the chance to meet his cousins. He will never meet any of us.”

Patra Perkins was a few weeks from her 19th birthday. 

After hearing about the charge, the victim’s family members are hoping for justice.

“I hope they find him. He doesn’t deserve to be walking around,” said Patra Perkins' aunt, Sarah Wright. “It's just horrible. I don’t understand how somebody can be so heartless.”

Herron has a long criminal history and is out on bond for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and evading arrest charges filed in July 2018.

Anyone with information on Herron’s whereabouts or the shooting is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS. 


About the Authors:

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.

Reporter, family-oriented, sports fanatic, proud Houstonian.