Woman Fatally Shot While Collecting Cans Outside Houston Apartment

HOUSTON, TX – Houston police are investigating the fatal shooting of a 75-year-old woman that occurred around 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday, July 15, at an apartment complex located at 4000 Griggs Road.

The identity of the deceased female is pending notification to family by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

According to Houston Police Department Homicide Division Sergeant S. Jimenez and Detectives D. Higgs and C. Bowling, officers responded to a report of a shooting and found the elderly woman suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene by Houston Fire Department paramedics.

Investigators learned that the victim was known in the area for collecting aluminum cans. On the morning of the shooting, she was gathering cans that had been left out for her on the porch of an apartment by a resident.

Another woman living in the same apartment, identified as 43-year-old Amber McNulty, saw the victim collecting the cans. Police say McNulty put on a ballistic vest, armed herself with a gun, and fired multiple shots through the apartment window at the victim. McNulty later told police she felt she was in danger and acted in self-defense.

McNulty was taken into custody without incident. She has been charged with felon in possession of a weapon in the 209th State District Court. She is not currently charged in the fatal shooting, but additional charges may be filed pending further investigation by the Houston Police Department and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.

Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.