Mauricio Izaguirre, 23, is charged with murder in the death of 39-year-old Alma Canales

By Dale Lezon
Updated 10:38 a.m., Monday, March 26, 2012

Police are searching for a man accused of fatally shooting his girlfriend while one of the woman's children watched in their home in northeast Harris County earlier this month, officials said.

Mauricio Izaguirre, 23, is charged with murder in the death of 39-year-old Alma Canales about 11 p.m. Thursday in a home in the 5900 block Gray Cliff Drive near Lorne, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators said Izaguirre was arguing with Canales and at some point he pulled out a gun and shot her.

Canales' children were home at the time of the shooting and one of her small daughters heard the gunshot and saw her mother wounded, officials said. Canales was taken by medical helicopter to Memorial Hermann-The Texas Medical Center, where she later died.

Izaguirre fled after the shooting. Authorities did not release a description of the man.

Anyone with information about the case or Mauricio Izaguirre's whereabouts is urged to contact the Harris County Sheriff's Office Homicide Unit at 713 967-5810 or call Crime Stoppers at 713 222-TIPS.

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HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Harris County authorities are searching for a man who allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend, right in front of her children.

One neighbor said she heard a single gunshot, and then seconds later, a loud scream from a little girl. Investigators have confirmed a young girl was in the same room when her mother was shot, allegedly by her boyfriend. They also say her oldest son held his mother as she lay dying.

On Thursday night, Harris County Sheriff's investigators say Alma Canales, 39, and at least two of her five children were at home inside a northeast Harris County house on Graycliff near Lorne. Canales' nine-year old was in the same room with her mother preparing for bed when authorities say Canales got into a dispute with her boyfriend, Mauricio Izaguirre. That's when authorities say he pulled out a gun and shot the mother right in front of her young daughter.

"They will be traumatized," said neighbor Tonya Klouatre.

Authorities say Izaguirre then took off on foot, leaving his car behind, and according to investigators, leaving the victim's 18-year-old son holding his wounded mother in his arms.

Neighbors remember the mother who had plans to start her own flower business.

"She was a real sweet person," said neighbor Fred Wright.

They can't help but think about her children.

"What happened with those kids, they have got to live with that for the rest of their lives," said one neighbor.

Klouatre said, "Knowing that he is not caught, the kids are going to be more traumatized with him still being free and out there. So he needs to be caught."

Izaguirre is believed to be in his early to mid-20s. Authorities say he has a number of aliases. They have confiscated his car, left behind at the murder scene, but they are still looking for him.

This case is being investigated by the Harris County Sheriff's Office. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Mauricio Izaguirre and/or this shooting is asked to contact the Homicide Unit at 713-967-5810 or call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).

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Photos released of suspect wanted for killing mother of five
Published On: Mar 28 2012 01:44:26 PM CDT
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Mauricio Izaguirre
HOUSTON -
Deputies released photos Wednesday of a man they say murdered his girlfriend in front of her own children.

On March 22, Mauricio Izaguirre and Alma Canales were arguing inside their home at the 5900 block of Graycliff Drive in northeast Harris County when Izaguirre pulled out a gun and shot Canales, deputies said.

Two of her children were also in the home.

After the shooting, Izaguirre fled on foot, officials said.

Canales died at the hospital. She left behind five children who are 2 to 18 years old.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office is investigating the case. Anyone with information on Izaguirre's whereabouts is asked to call the HCSO Homicide Unit at 713-967-5810 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).

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I sure hope they find this guy. Those poor kids will never get the picture of their Mother laying there, murdered right in front of them. Just the mentality of someone who would have a gun/pull it out and shoot a Mom in front of her children needs to be locked up, caged for the rest of his miserable life. MOO.