Surveillance video released of suspects accused of shooting woman to death in front of southeast Houston gym

HOUSTON – A woman is dead after she was shot in front of a gym in southeast Houston Thursday morning.

The victim was identified by Houston police as 62-year old Elsa Mikeska. The shooting happened just before 5 a.m. in front of the Life Fit Personal Fitness Studio on Fuqua Street near Beamer Road, authorities said.

“That doesn’t happen around here. That’s just not something we see around here. It’s scary,” John Gregory said.

Thursday evening, Houston police released surveillance video of the suspects and a vehicle wanted in connection to the shooting.

John Gregory works at the Kirkwood Veterinary Hospital on Fuqua Street and couldn’t believe Mikeska was gunned down outside the gym, which sits right next to his job.

“The family it happened to, I’m sorry for their loss. Their mom, their wife, was just going to work out, how do you expect something like that? How do you deal with someone like that?” Gregory asked.

According to the Houston Police Department, Mikeska was just trying to go to the gym when she was gunned down. Police said she arrived at the gym, parked her car, and got out when three men in their mid-20s pulled up in an older model, white Chevy Suburban.

Two of the men got out of the vehicle as the Mikeska began walking toward the gym, police said. Authorities said the men said something to her and she began running towards the gym.

At that point, police said the men opened fire and the woman was struck in the back. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said the three men fled the scene without stealing any of the woman’s belongings.

Neighbors and gym patrons are rattled by the shooting, saying it is scary because the shooting happened so close to home.

“I can’t believe this has happened. This gym has been here forever and nothing like this has ever happened,” one person said.

Juan Cardenas, a member at the gym, says crime in Houston is out of control.

“All I hear shootouts and stuff like that. It’s getting really bad. I think we need more police,” he said.

Police said the men matched the description of three carjackers who tried to steal another woman’s vehicle about an hour before the shooting, just a few miles down the road.

“I’m hoping with the carjacking, perhaps they have some information that way or cameras to find them,” Gregory said.

According to authorities, the woman’s vehicle was broken down and when the men approached. Police said she thought they were stopping to help her, but then they tried to steal her vehicle. The men then pulled a gun on her, but she was able to escape, authorities said.

Police say the suspects are in their early to mid-20s with a slim build.

Anyone with information is asked to contact CrimeStoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).


About the Author:

Daniela Sternitzky-Di Napoli has been a digital news editor at KPRC 2 since 2018. She is a published poet and has background in creative writing and journalism. Daniela has covered events like Hurricane Harvey and the Astros World Series win. In her spare time, Daniela is an avid reader and loves to spend time with her two miniature dachshunds.