Man Kills Ex-Girlfriend, Her 1-Year-Old Daughter Before Fleeing Toward Mexico: Police

Caitlin Nolan
Updated

Police are hunting a Texas man they say fatally shot his ex-girlfriend and her toddler before fleeing toward the Mexican border.

Jonathan Figueroa, 23, was charged with capital murder after he allegedly burst into the home of his ex-girlfriend and began firing at her and her daughter on Friday, Houston Police said.

The hail of bullets struck and killed 26-year-old Veronica Mercado and her baby daughter Linette Cano, who would have turned two years old on November 21, authorities said.

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Cano was still in her mother’s arms when they were found by police about 12:10 p.m. that day, according to reports. Both were shot multiple times inside the home, which had been forced open, police said.

Mercado’s two older children were reportedly at school at the time of the murders. Figueroa is not Cano’s father, cops said.

Investigators believe Figueroa is heading to Mexico in a 2004 maroon Ford Taurus with the Texas license plate CTS3225, which he reportedly stole from a man who called police about the theft.

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Police told reporters that there is a history of domestic violence between Figueroa and Mercado, who reportedly broke up with him a week before her murder.

Mercado and Cano’s devastated family took to GoFundMe to raise funds for the woman and baby’s funerals.

“(P)lease help with anything every dollar makes a difference! thanks alot God bless you!” a woman who identified herself as Mercado’s cousin wrote on the site.

More than $4,500 had been raised in three days to offset funeral costs.

Those with information about Figueroa’s whereabouts are asked to call the police or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).

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