Charge Upgraded After Shooting Victim's Death

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Updated: 8:54 PM Jan 21, 2009 Charge Upgraded After Shooting Victim's Death The death of a Grimes County woman changes the charge against a Richards teen from aggravated assault to murder. Posted: 8:47 PM Jan 21, 2009 Reporter: Joe Brown Email Address: brown@kbtx.com

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The death of a Grimes County woman changes the charge against a Richards teen from aggravated assault to murder.

Debra Collins died Tuesday night from gunshot wounds she suffered Monday night at the home of her brother-in-law located on FM 1486. Grimes County Sheriff investigators say Collins was inside the house when it was sprayed with gunfire from a passing pickup.

Soon after, authorities arrested Guadalupe Pedraza, 17, and charged him with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The charge was upgraded to murder Wednesday due to Collins' death.

Investigators say it was Pedraza who shot into the house while crouched in the bed of the pickup. They recovered a 9mm handgun from Pedraza after finding 9mm casings at the crime scene.

Authorities believe the shooting was retaliation to a drug dispute between Pedraza and another man he believed to living at the home.

Latest Comments

Posted by: SON Location: HOUSTON on Feb 19, 2009 at 08:20 PM

For all of you concerned people thanks for your comments. This is a very sad thing that me and my family had to go through and the pain is still there. We all make mistakes in our life and we all have to answer to god. When my mother died a part of me died and it will never be replaced. Some of us learn from our mistakes and some of us continue to make mistakes over and over. I love my mom and will continue to love her until the day god calls me home to be with her. I think everyone that was involved should get punished from the drug dealer, gun seller, driver, passenger and the shooter. I do not believe in that with the victims or the suspects being in the wrong place at the wrong time. When you start acting, thinking like an adult you should be trialed as an adult. For everyone that was involved I forgive you but I never will forget I do not wish the death sentence because only god can decide that, I do wish everyone involved has a long time to think about the mistake they made
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Posted by: Richards MOM Location: Walker County on Jan 25, 2009 at 10:04 PM

There is no doubt this is a terrible situation. However, this young man lost his mother just a month ago. He is not a killer and is not worthless. There are plenty of kids out there who could make a terrible mistake in the blink of an eye. Parents should be involved in their children's lives, talk to them, listen to them, take them to church. No one is useless or worthless. People that are writing hateful comments do not know these students or their lives. May God continue to help such short-sighted judgemental people.Anonymous- Do you know this young man? How do you know his makeup?
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Posted by: cousin of the deceased Location: Houston , Texas on Jan 25, 2009 at 07:20 PM

I knew Debra Collins personally, she was my cousin. I hope the scumbag who killed her get the death penalty. He left 8 kids motherless, the youngest only 4 years old. It is wrong to kill, but to kill an innocent mother is dead right wrong. As for the intended person I hope that her death stick with you for the rest of your life. I know personally that your grandkids could have been there and what if they were the ones who got shot could you have lived with yourself then? The one who killed Debra was younger than some of her children. I'm glad that her murder was solved so quickly and not go on unsolved.
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