Houston Man Sentenced to 75 Years for Ambushing and Killing Teenage Girl in 2018

A Houston man who fatally shot a 16-year-old girl outside her home in 2018 was sentenced to 75 years in prison this week, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.

Irbin Vargas, 29, was convicted of murder for the killing of Lourdes “Betty” Sandoval on September 12, 2018. Vargas, who was 22 at the time, had been in a relationship with Sandoval for about a year. She had expressed to friends and family her desire to end the relationship due to threats against her life, including an incident where Vargas pointed a gun at her head.

On the night of the murder, Sandoval told Vargas via text that she no longer wished to be involved with him. Five minutes later, she walked out of her Greenspoint-area home to meet a friend. Her friend witnessed Vargas emerging from the shadows, ambushing Sandoval, and shooting her in the head.

Vargas fled the scene but was later arrested by the Houston Police Department. In November, he was convicted of murder after a five-day trial. Vargas chose to be sentenced by a judge, who sentenced him to 75 years in prison.

Assistant District Attorney Philip White, who prosecuted the case, described Vargas as a “predator” who targeted the teenage girl. Vargas will be eligible for parole after serving at least 30 years in prison.