Family identifies 59-year-old grandmother as Cracker Barrel manager killed while trying to stop armed suspect

HOUSTON – A 59-year-old Cracker Barrel manager was killed after authorities say she tried to block a suspect from entering the restaurant during an attempted robbery in north Harris County.

The sister of Robin Baucom said she was trying to protect her employees when she lost her life.

“She is our hero and we hope she will be remembered as a hero because she lost her life trying to protect her employees and Cracker Barrel. She was always taking care of business wherever she was needed,” Robin Baucom’s sister Gail wrote.

Robin Baucom was said to have worked at the restaurant for the past 34 years. She leaves behind three children, and three grandchildren.

Gail says their family is devastated, and Robin Baucom’s husband is not doing well.

Deputies with Harris County Precinct 4 Constable and Harris County Sheriff’s Office responded to the shooting at the establishment located in the 14700 block of North Freeway near Airtex Drive at around 6:15 a.m. Saturday.

Deputies said Robin Baucom had just arrived at the restaurant’s entrance when a metallic gray-colored Dodge Charger with two men inside pulled up.

As she rang the doorbell, a man on the passenger side asked her about the restaurant’s hours. When he got out of the vehicle, he attempted to steal Baucom’s purse, deputies said.

When the restaurant manager opened the door, she saw the suspect and blocked the entryway as he tried to force his way inside. He pulled out a gun and shot Baucom in the torso, according to deputies.

The man then hopped back into the vehicle and fled the scene.

Deputies said Baucom was transported to an area hospital where she later died.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez shared surveillance images of the possible suspect and the vehicle involved in the shooting. The suspect was shown wearing a black hoodie, black pants, and black shoes.

Cracker Barrel released the following statement:

“We can confirm that there was a criminal shooting at our Houston store on North Freeway prior to opening this morning which resulted in our store’s associate manager sustaining fatal injuries as she protected other employees from harm. All of Cracker Barrel is solely focused on supporting our manager’s family, her fellow employees, and local law enforcement as we grapple with this tragedy and grieve.”

Anyone with information is urged to call Harris County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit at 713-274-9100 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.