HOUSTON — The Westchase Forest Apartments office was closed Tuesday as a bouquet of flowers sat out front a day after a manager was killed in what police called a murder-suicide.
"To find out this happened is horrible,” former resident Liliana Sandoval said.
She came by to inquire about leasing there again.
“I lived here for seven years, and we never had any issues," Sandoval said. "And the people here were always very helpful and nice.”
The family of the manager who was killed identified her as 56-year-old Lisa Blackburn, of Santa Fe, Texas.
They said she loved her job and managed properties for about 30 years. She'd even throw parties on her own dime for children. Family members said the breast cancer survivor also volunteered in her spare time. They even shared a photo taken at the Houston Food Bank.
Blackburn leaves behind a husband, two children and four granddaughters.
"It’s kind of tripping me out because we just moved into this community,” a resident said.
According to witnesses, the shooter entered the leasing office around 2:35 p.m. and kicked everyone out except Blackburn and a male colleague. They said he held them hostage before fatally shooting Blackburn and shooting her male colleague, who survived. The shooter, who may have been a disgruntled tenant, then shot and killed himself, according to Houston police.
“I’m still trying to envision how anybody could do that," Sandoval said. "It sounds very tragic and terrible.”
At last check, the male colleague who was shot was in stable condition at a hospital. Neither he nor the shooter have been identified.
Blackburn's family said she would have turned 57 in 10 days.
An apartment spokesperson issued this statement:
"We are extremely saddened by the incident that occurred yesterday at Westchase Forest Apartments. We extend our deepest condolences and concern to all who have been affected by this senseless tragedy. We are working closely with the Houston Police Department in their ongoing investigation."