Man killed woman while 3-year-old daughter was in backseat: Docs

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Court documents allege that an Edinburg man killed a woman while her 3-year-old daughter was in the backseat.

Fortunato Barrera Jr. was arrested on charges of murder, endangering a child and violation of a protective order, jail records show. Barrera's bond is set at $11,250,000.

Fortunato Barrera Jr. (Hidalgo County Jail)

A probable cause affidavit stated that the shooting occurred Tuesday at the 2300 block of Maple Avenue.

When detectives arrived to the scene, the victim, later identified as Janet Vichique, was found sitting in the driver's seat dead with multiple gunshot wounds.

"The victim's 3-year-old daughter was in the back seat when the murder occurred," the document stated.

Witnesses saw the suspect, identified as Barrera, leaving the scene. Barrera was pulled over at the 3600 block of N. Bicentennial Blvd.

According to the affidavit, Barrera said, "Just take me already, you know what I did," while being detained.

Surveillance footage showed Barrera parking his vehicle next to Vichique's, getting out and shooting her while she was sitting inside.

"Mr. Barrera had been arrested on June 6th, 2024 for stalking the same victim," the affidavit added.