Woman shot multiple times while driving on Gulf Freeway in La Marque was nurse at UTMB, police say

LA MARQUE, Texas – An investigation is ongoing after officers in Galveston County said a woman was found shot multiple times inside a disabled SUV Sunday morning.

La Marque Police responded to a call of a disabled vehicle on I-45 Gulf Freeway southbound about one mile south of Mac McGaffey Highland Bayou Park.

When they arrived, police said officers found a black Kia SUV riddled with bullet holes with a woman inside.

La Marque PD said the woman, who was identified as 43-year-old Patrina Marie Compton was struck multiple times by gunfire while driving on the highway.

“I just want to know who did this so we can catch the person. She didn’t deserve this at all. She didn’t have a mean soul in her body,” said Stacy Compton, Patrina’s sister.

Patrina was rushed to the hospital where she died soon after arriving in the emergency room, police said.

On Monday, investigators said that Patrina was targeted in the shooting but they are still trying to find out why.

She was the only person inside the vehicle at the time of the shooting.

“At midnight, I don’t think there are as many cars on the road for there to be road rage. She had to be targeted. She left my mom’s house at 11:47 p.m., and like I said, shortly after that is when the incident happened,” Stacy said.

Stacy said she and her sister were together Saturday night preparing food for a barbecue the family had scheduled for Sunday to celebrate their mother’s birthday.

“My sister was here with me at my apartment. She left my apartment at around 10:30, between 10:30 and 11. From here, she went to my mom’s to drop some things off, and shortly after that, she left my mom’s at around 11:47. Shortly after that is when the incident happened,” Stacy said.

Patrina, who leaves behind a son, was a nurse at UTMB Health.

“She graduated top of her class from La Marque High School. She went on to UTMB. Graduated there at the top of her class with a Bachelor in Science. She’s an RN and worked at UTMB for about 20 years, maybe a little more,” Stacy said.

Police have not released details about the suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call La Marque Crime Stoppers at 409-938-8477.

“If anybody knows anything, speak up, tell someone, tell the authorities.. any information would do. If you have any camera footage, anything, it would help us greatly because this has been devastating to our family,” Stacy said.


About the Authors:

A graduate of the University of Houston-Downtown, Ana moved to H-Town from sunny southern California in 2015. In 2020, she joined the KPRC 2 digital team as an intern. Ana is a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur, a catmom of 3, and an aquarium enthusiast. In her spare time, she's an avid video gamer and loves to travel.

Prairie View A&M University graduate with a master’s degree in Digital Media Studies from Sam Houston State. Delta woman. Proud aunt. Lover of the color purple. 💜