Gas station surveillance video led to a Montgomery County grand jury indicting a Houston man in the April 23 shooting death of 34-year-old Rufino Gutierrez of Porter.
Roberto Ausencio, 24, was indicted on murder Tuesday.
According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the scene in the 23000 block of Holly Ridge Road April 23. Deputies found Gutierrez dead from a gunshot wound to the head and deputies determined the shooting was a homicide.
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A witness reported to deputies he was on his porch on Holly Ridge Road when he heard several gunshots and then saw a car driving slowing down the road and crash in front of his home, court documents show.
The witness recognized the Nissan Altima as the one he loaned Gutierrez earlier that day. When he went to check on the car, he found Gutierrez dead in the driver’s seat and Ausencio in the passenger seat.
The investigation showed the witness took Gutierrez to meet Ausencio at a gas station in the 25000 block of Sorters Road April 23. Gutierrez got out of the car and into a Lincoln Navigator with Ausencio.
The witness and Gutierrez returned to the witness’s home where Gutierrez asked to borrow the car.
According to court documents, surveillance footage from the gas station showed Gutierrez returning to the location where Ausencio got out of the Navigator and into the Altima with Gutierrez. Both vehicles leave the gas station around 8:15 p.m. About an hour later is when the witness heard the gunshots and found Gutierrez dead in the car.
The autopsy, the court documents state, shows Gutierrez died of multiple gunshots to the head. Deputies found seven spent 9mm shell casings in the Altima.
Ausencio is out on a $200,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 31.
