Esly Jimenez Erzo, a 16-year-old Hispanic female, was tragically found shot to death on June 12, 2021, in Houston, Texas. The incident occurred at an apartment complex located in the 7500 block of Drouet Street. Esly and her 35-year-old mother, Leslie Reyes, were discovered by a family member who went to check on them after they failed to show up for a birthday party they were scheduled to attend. The family member entered the apartment through an unlocked door and found both Esly and her mother dead in a bedroom from gunshot wounds. The Houston Police Department and the Houston Fire Department were dispatched to the scene, where both victims were pronounced dead.
Following an investigation, the HPD identified 51-year-old Manuel Birriel Carrasquillo as the suspect in the double homicide. Carrasquillo, who is also known by the alias Vicente Lopez Garcia, was charged with capital murder for allegedly shooting Esly and her mother. Surveillance video released by the HPD showed Carrasquillo visiting the apartment complex. He was last seen driving a white 2012 Nissan Rogue with Texas license plates PGS-5720. Despite the charges, Carrasquillo remained on the loose, and the HPD urged anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to contact the HPD Homicide Division or Crime Stoppers.
The investigation into the deaths of Esly Jimenez Erzo and her mother Leslie Reyes was led by the HPD's Homicide Division. The case garnered significant attention from the community and media, as loved ones mourned the loss of the mother and daughter. The motive behind the shooting was not immediately clear, and the search for Carrasquillo continued as authorities sought to bring justice for the victims. The tragic incident highlighted the ongoing issue of gun violence and its devastating impact on families and communities.
