Owen Leonardo Vilanova-Ardon, a 17-year-old from Houston, has been charged with capital murder in connection to the death of 65-year-old Judy Walters. Vilanova-Ardon appeared in court on Monday morning, where the judge set his bond at $600,000.
Walters was shot and killed on February 14 in the parking lot of her apartment complex in the 800 block of Yorkchester Drive. Police say at least two young male suspects shot Walters and pulled her out of her car before stealing it and driving away.
They then hit Walters with the car, causing her death at the scene. Police are still searching for another suspect.
Walters’s daughter-in-law Ashley Sivek attended the court hearing on Monday and described her as a loving mother and grandmother who would care for her grandchildren.
Sivek will now be taking in one of Walters’s grandchildren. She expressed her disbelief at why anyone would do such a thing to an elderly, sweet woman who worked hard and loved deeply.
Capital murder is a serious charge in Texas that carries the possibility of the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole.
Vilanova-Ardon will face consequences if found guilty of the crime. It remains to be seen if the police will apprehend the other suspect(s) involved in this case and bring them to justice. The community will be waiting for resolution and justice to be served in this terrible event.
