A quiet Monday morning in Houston’s Kashmere Gardens neighborhood shattered with a violent home invasion, leaving a 72-year-old woman dead and two suspects in custody. Richard Mouton, 34, and Tajuana Thomas, 38, now face capital murder charges in connection with the brutal attack.
The incident unfolded just before 2:00 a.m. when both Mouton and Thomas, their faces concealed by masks, allegedly entered the victim’s home through an unlocked back door. This wasn’t a random act; Thomas had previously lived at the residence and harbored a simmering resentment towards the homeowner.
Witnesses revealed a history of bitter arguments stemming from the victim’s refusal to bail Thomas out of jail. That long-held anger reportedly fueled the invasion, escalating into a terrifying confrontation. The suspects demanded jewelry, brandishing an AR-style rifle at the sleeping woman.
What followed was a shocking exchange of gunfire. Despite being vastly outnumbered and facing a high-powered weapon, the 72-year-old woman fought back, skillfully wielding a revolver. She managed to wound both Mouton and Thomas before succumbing to her injuries.
Thomas was struck in the hip, while Mouton sustained a gunshot wound to the face. Both were transported to a local hospital, their lives hanging in the balance. The victim, however, was pronounced dead at the scene, a tragic end to a courageous struggle.
This wasn’t Mouton and Thomas’ first encounter with the law. Thomas was already out on bond for a misdemeanor terroristic threat charge, stemming from an incident where she allegedly threatened a former coworker after being fired.
Court records paint a picture of escalating criminal behavior. In 2022, Thomas reportedly vowed to physically assault a former colleague, fueled by workplace anger. The incident highlighted a pattern of volatile outbursts and disregard for the law.
Mouton’s record is even more extensive. He received a 60-day jail sentence in 2023 for felony evading arrest while on parole, demonstrating a clear pattern of avoiding accountability. His parole ended in 2024, but his troubles were far from over.
Just months later, in July 2025, Mouton was arrested again, facing charges of being a felon in possession of a weapon, evading arrest, and multiple drug offenses. A desperate attempt to flee a traffic stop revealed a significant cache of narcotics – marijuana, Xanax, ecstasy, cocaine, and methamphetamine – along with a firearm.
Despite being released on bond following that arrest, Mouton failed to appear in court on January 22nd, prompting authorities to issue a warrant for his arrest. That warrant remained outstanding for just two days before the deadly home invasion occurred.
The case raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the parole system and the consequences of repeated failures to appear in court. It underscores the potential dangers when individuals with a history of violent behavior are allowed to remain free.
