The Houston Police Department says Richard Mouton, 34, and Tajuana Thomas, 38, face capital murder charges after a 72-year-old woman was killed during a home invasion in Kashmere Gardens. Witnesses say the masked intruders entered through an unlocked back door at about 1:50 a.m., demanded jewelry and an exchange of gunfire left the victim dead while both suspects were wounded. Mouton reportedly missed a Jan. 22 court date, prompting a warrant two days before the shooting; Thomas was out on bond for a misdemeanor terroristic threat.
Repeat Offender Arrested After Fatal Houston Home Invasion Days After Missing Court Date
Career criminal accused of killing elderly woman in violent home invasion after skipping court days earlier
The Houston Police Department says 34-year-old Richard Mouton and 38-year-old Tajuana Thomas have been charged with capital murder after a 72-year-old woman was killed during a home invasion in the Kashmere Gardens neighborhood early Monday.
Richard Mouton, 34, is charged with capital murder after allegedly shooting a 72-year-old woman to death in a home invasion in Houston, Texas on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, according to authorities.(Fox News)
According to police statements and local reporting, two masked intruders entered the residence through an unlocked back door at about 1:50 a.m. The home was previously occupied by Thomas, authorities said. Witnesses told reporters that Thomas and the victim had ongoing disputes after the victim refused to post bail for Thomas, and the two "argued about it all the time." Officials have not released the victim’s name.
Tajuana Thomas, 38, is charged with capital murder after allegedly shooting a 72-year-old woman to death in a home invasion in Houston, Texas on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, according to authorities.
Investigators allege the suspects demanded jewelry and that one of them pointed an AR-style rifle at the sleeping woman. A confrontation escalated into an exchange of gunfire. Local outlets report the victim fired a revolver, striking Thomas in the hip and Mouton in the face, but was then killed by return gunfire. Both suspects were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment; the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Richard Mouton and Tajuana Thomas are accused of gunning down a 72-year-old woman in an alleged home invasion following a reported dispute in Houston, Texas on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026.
Background On The Suspects
Thomas was reportedly out on bond from a misdemeanor terroristic threat charge at the time of the shooting. Court records cited by local reporting show a separate 2022 incident in which Thomas allegedly threatened a former coworker after being fired.
Mouton has a longer criminal history in local records. He received a 60-day jail sentence in 2023 after a felony evading-arrest conviction while on parole; his parole reportedly ended in 2024. In July 2025 he was arrested on charges including felon in possession of a weapon, evading arrest and drug possession. Local reporting alleges he ran roughly 1,500 feet from a traffic stop while carrying large quantities of drugs and a firearm.
After the July arrest, Mouton was released on bond about a week later. He reportedly failed to appear for a Jan. 22 court date, and authorities issued a warrant for his arrest two days before the deadly invasion, according to local outlets.
"It's always disturbing that you could be on parole, get a felony conviction, and still be on parole and not have your parole revoked," said Andy Kahan of Crime Stoppers, commenting on how repeat offenders can remain at large.
The Harris County Prosecutor’s Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment about prior parole decisions. The Houston Police Department continues to investigate; authorities ask anyone with information to contact HPD or Crime Stoppers.
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