Houston Police Department

February 8, 2007 -- Houston police have arrested a suspect in the fatal shooting of a woman at 1800 Milam about 2:40 a.m. today (February 8).

The suspect is still being questioned at this time. The victim, Erica Ann Garcia, 26, of 722 South 6th Street in La Porte, suffered a gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced dead at the scene.

HPD Homicide Division Officers S. Jefferson and T.R. Cunningham reported:

Ms. Garcia left a downtown nightclub and was followed by four suspects driving in a black Hummer to the intersection of Milam and St. Joseph, where she stopped for a red light. Two suspects exited the vehicle and one of them walked up to Garcia’s vehicle and shot her from the passenger’s side.

The Hummer was later found at the Gulf Freeway (Interstate 45 South) at Airport Boulevard. The suspect was arrested while the three other males were detained.

The suspects are acquaintances of the victim.

GO/JFC 2-8-07
Inc #19301307

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

POLICE Department

UPDATE: Suspect Arrested, Charged in July 2016 Fatal Shooting at 7700 Bretshire Drive

September 2, 2022 - Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in the fatal shooting of a man that occurred at 7700 Bretshire Drive about 8:25 p.m. on July 10, 2016.

The suspect, Jose A. Rios, 25, is charged with murder in the 209th State District Court. He is accused in the death of Michael Yates, Jr., 39.

A booking photo of Rios is attached to this news release.

HPD Homicide Division Detectives L. Bailey and Officer J. Young reported:
Mr. Yates and two family friends (both males, ages 19 and 9 at the time of the shooting) were fishing in Halls Bayou at the above address when the suspect walked from the train tracks into the field and approached the 19-year-old. The two, who had attended high school together, began talking about school and soccer for about five minutes before Yates approached them and they decided it was time to leave. As they were walking away, the suspect began following them and, for no apparent reason, produced a gun and fatally shot Yates. At that time, Yates' friends ran. When the 19-year-old fell, the suspect caught up to him and attempted several times to shoot him, however the gun jammed and would not fire. The 19-year-old managed to run to a nearby residence for help and the suspect fled the scene. The 9-year-old was not harmed.

At that time, the suspect was described only as a Hispanic male with a slim build and a long, puffy ponytail.

Initial investigation identified Rios as the suspect in this case and he was charged in July 2016, however, was determined to have fled to Mexico.

Further investigation developed information on Rios' whereabouts in Mexico and, on Wednesday (August 31), he was extradited to the Harris County Joint Processing Center.

Anyone with additional information in this case is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

Jose A. Rios

Update: VHS/SOA 9-2-22
KJS/JFC 7-13-16
Inc. #088876216

For additional information, please contact the HPD Office of Community Affairs at 713-308-3200.