Three Arrested in Connection with Austin Woman’s Murder
Three undocumented immigrants from Mexico have been apprehended regarding the shooting death of 43-year-old Mary Gonzalez, whose body was discovered in a field in north Austin on October 6. Texas law enforcement initially arrested one suspect, followed by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detaining two others. This series of arrests has drawn significant criticism from Homeland Security officials, who attribute the incident to border policies implemented during the Biden administration.
Authorities reported that surveillance footage captured a blue car lacking headlights near the location where Gonzalez’s body was found on October 5. They later tracked this vehicle to the area where the body was discovered.
Shortly after the sighting, police intercepted a 2007 Toyota Camry that matched the reported description approximately a mile from the scene. The driver, Enrique Gomez Urbina, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, was found in possession of a Glock .40 caliber handgun. Although he fled, Gomez-Urbina was apprehended later that day by members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force after a first-degree murder warrant was issued. Once the criminal proceedings were completed, ICE confirmed his illegal status in the U.S. and initiated deportation proceedings.
On October 8, ICE arrested two additional undocumented immigrants tied to the murder. They were identified as Jesus Lamas Yanez and Javier Roman Hernandez, both of whom have criminal backgrounds from Mexico.
ICE noted that Lamas Yanez has prior arrests for assault and driving under the influence. His date and manner of entry into the U.S. remain unclear.
Roman Hernandez entered the United States on foot from Hidalgo, Texas, using the CBP One smartphone application on July 23, 2023. This app was designed to allow over 1,400 immigrants daily to enter with minimal screening, a policy initiated under the Biden administration but terminated shortly after President Trump took office.
Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security, commented on the recent arrests, stating, “These cold-blooded alleged killers should never have existed in our country in the first place, and Mary Gonzalez should still be alive.” She elaborated on the policy enabling one suspect’s entry, remarking, “One of these criminals used Biden’s disastrous CBP One app to enter our country. Open border policies have deadly consequences. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, these murder suspects will never be free to commit heinous crimes on America’s streets again.”
