Police Arrest Man for Murder After Shooting Woman in Her Car

Lubbock police are investigating a murder that happened the night of Thursday, February 25th, 2021.

Officers initially responded to the shots fired call at around 8:30 p.m. in the 300 block of Avenue T. When officers arrived on scene, they found the victim, 25-year-old Yajaira Lizette Monsivais, with a life-threatening gunshot wound. She was transported to University Medical Center where she was later pronounced dead.

Police say that the suspect, 28-year-old Gabriel Lee Mendoza, was in an argument with his brother over stolen property. At some point, it's said that Mendoza fired a rifle in the direction of Monsivais' vehicle. She was the only person struck.

After the shot was fired, Mendoza's brother and Monsivais attempted to leave the area. Reports say that Mendoza also fled the scene before officers could arrive.

Mendoza was eventually arrested at a residence in the 200 block of Avenue U. A murder warrant was obtained by the department, and the Texas Anti-Gang Center provided the information on his whereabouts.

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LPD and LSO SWAT were on the scene, and Mendoza was taken into custody without incident.

KAMC News reports that Mendoza has been previously arrested for domestic assault, and was sentenced for one year. He was also convicted of burglary and was sentenced to two years for that crime. Further, Mendoza was arrested in October 2020 for theft, a case which as of his current arrest was still pending.

Mendoza remains in the Lubbock County Detention Center on bonds totaling $500,000.