Houston Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2022 Murder

A 30-year-old man, Quinnton R. Allen, has been handed a life sentence for the murder of 29-year-old Luis Espinoza in Houston’s Near Northside neighborhood back in 2022. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg made the announcement following the jury’s decision on Friday.

“This was an ambush that happened in a Houston neighborhood at 11:30 in the morning,” said Ogg. “Everything about this crime speaks to a complete disregard for human life—we’re glad that the jury saw fit to hand down the maximum sentence.”

Allen was convicted earlier on Friday for the fatal shooting that occurred on June 18, 2022. Espinoza was driving a white Jeep Cherokee near a convenience store at Fairbanks and Gano intersection when the incident took place.

Surveillance footage captured Allen approaching Espinoza’s vehicle and engaging in conversation for about two minutes before pulling out a semi-automatic 9mm pistol from his backpack and firing seven shots, hitting Espinoza six times.

Despite being shot, Espinoza’s foot remained on the brake, but his car began rolling away and collided with a pole after he was hit.

After the shooting, Allen fled the scene in a silver Dodge Avenger driven by an unidentified individual.

Houston Police Department detectives, aided by surveillance footage and witness statements, were able to track down and apprehend Allen.

Assistant District Attorneys Nancy Ta and Gina Gilmore prosecuted Allen during the four-day trial.

“We know that this was an ambush because of the way it happened and the getaway car that picked up the defendant after the shooting,” said Ta. “We may never know why he did it, but it was an absolutely senseless murder.”