What Happened to Elizabeth (Liz) Barraza on January 25, 2019
On the morning of January 25, 2019, 29-year-old Elizabeth "Liz" Barraza was fatally shot in the driveway of her home in Tomball, TX, a suburb of Houston in Harris County. The incident occurred just before 7:00 a.m. as she was setting up for a garage sale in the 8600 block of Cedar Walk Drive. Liz and her husband, SB, had planned the sale to raise extra money for their upcoming fifth wedding anniversary trip. SB had left for work around 6:48 am, leaving Liz alone to prepare.
Surveillance footage from a neighbor’s camera and the Barrazas’ own doorbell camera captured the chilling sequence of events. At approximately 6:52 a.m., a dark-colored pickup truck pulled up across the street from the Barraza residence. An unidentified individual exited the driver’s side, leaving the engine running, and approached Liz in the driveway. The suspect appeared to be wearing a disguise—possibly a wig, a long jacket or robe, and tall boots.
The doorbell camera recorded a brief exchange: Liz greeted the person with a “Good morning,” suggesting she may have thought they were an early customer. Within seconds, the suspect drew a revolver (speculation) and fired three shots at point-blank range, striking Liz. As she fell to the ground, the assailant stepped over her and fired a fourth shot, believed to be to her head, before fleeing back to the truck. The entire encounter lasted less than 30 seconds.
About two minutes later, the same vehicle was captured driving past the house again, possibly to confirm Liz’s death.
Neighbors heard the gunshots and called 911. Emergency responders rushed Liz to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where she was pronounced dead the following day, January 26, 2019.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) described the attack as “calculated, premeditated, and pitiless,” noting that nothing was stolen from the driveway or home, ruling out robbery as a motive.
Who Is Responsible for Shooting Her?
As of February 23, 2025, the identity of Liz Barraza’s killer remains unknown, and the case is still unsolved. The HCSO has not publicly named a suspect, despite extensive investigation efforts, including analyzing surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and following up on tips from around the world. The shooter’s disguise and the use of a revolver—which does not eject shell casings—have complicated efforts to gather physical evidence.
Several theories have emerged, though none have been confirmed:
- Murder-for-Hire: Liz’s father, BN Jr., has publicly stated his belief that the shooting was a paid hit, citing the premeditated nature of the attack and the suspect’s knowledge of Liz’s location that morning. However, no motive or mastermind has been identified.
- Personal Connection: Some speculate the killer knew Liz or SB, given the timing (just after SB left) and the fact that few people were aware of the unpublicized garage sale. Sergio has faced public suspicion but has cooperated fully with authorities, passing polygraph tests and providing no evidence of involvement.
- Random Act or Opportunity: Others suggest it could have been a crime of opportunity or even a gang initiation, though the precision of the attack leans against randomness.
The HCSO has pursued leads, including traveling to Miami in 2022 to interview a person of interest, but no arrests have been made.
A $50,000 reward from Crime Stoppers of Houston remains active for information leading to the suspect’s identification and arrest.
What Type of Vehicle Was Used?
The vehicle used in the crime is a dark-colored Nissan Frontier Pro 4X Crew Cab, likely from 2013 or newer.
Surveillance footage from multiple neighborhood cameras captured the truck before, during, and after the shooting. It is a four-door pickup, not a common model, which investigators have emphasized as a key clue. The truck was seen driving past the house, parking across the street during the attack, and returning shortly afterward. Despite extensive efforts to trace it, including appeals to the public to identify similar vehicles, its origin and owner remain unknown.
Liz Barraza’s murder continues to baffle investigators and haunt her family, who describe her as a kind, generous person and an avid Star Wars fan who volunteered with the 501st Legion to cheer up sick children. The case remains active, with authorities urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477). Until new evidence emerges, the question of who killed Liz—and why—remains unanswered.
Speculation, Its just an opinion