HOUSTON — The family of a transgender woman who was shot and killed outside of Chick-fil-A in 2021 is asking for the public's help to find her killer.
Iris Santos, 22, was gunned down nearly two years ago on April 23 outside of the fast-food chain on Westheimer Road in west Houston.
Police said Santos lived at the Village at Piney Point apartments on Lazy Hollow Drive. They said she left her apartment complex that evening before going to a nearby drugstore. After leaving the drugstore, she sat out front of the Chick-fil-A where she was gunned down.
Police were able to get video of the suspect running away right after the shooting. Police don't suspect Santos was followed, but a possible suspect was seen walking from the apartment complex to Chick-fil-A when the shooting happened. Because of the angles, no footage of the shooting was caught on camera.
"It did not appear to be robbery motivated based on the evidence," Detective Michael Barrow said during a press conference Wednesday where investigators provided the public with more details on the case.
Because the suspect didn't take anything, Santos' mother, Maria Carreon, believes the shooting was a hate crime.
She said people living at her daughter's apartment complex would follow and harass her because they didn't like her for being trans.
Her hopes are that someone out there has information that could lead investigators to her daughter’s killer.
"My daughter is not here. She's not coming back," Carreon said. "Nothing will bring her back, but I'm here asking for justice for her."
"Really, our plea is directed towards that apartment because we know that it's a known individual who resides or resided in that location," Detective Barrow said.
If you have any information, you're asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS. Information leading to charges or an arrest is eligible for a $5,000 reward.
Watch the latest update from police in the video below: