Tiamoya Moore was shot multiple times Thursday night at her home on Avenue Q.
GALVESTON, Texas — A teenager in Galveston was arrested Thursday night after her mother was shot and killed at their home.
Galveston police received multiple calls about the shooting on Avenue Q near 51st Street just before 8 p.m.
Neighbors told them the shooter was the victim’s 16-year-old daughter, who ran away on foot.
Officers arrived to find 34-year-old Tiamoya Moore with multiple gunshot wounds. She was rushed to UTMB by ambulance, but she didn’t survive.
While police were processing the scene, the teen returned home and was arrested. She’s being held at the juvenile justice center on a murder charge.
Her name hasn’t been released because of her age.
A gun was recovered at the scene.
Neighbor Gracela Molina, who lives across the street, told KHOU 11 she was checking her mail Thursday night when she heard people yelling inside the home.
“She was screaming. She was screaming. And I hear, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, like I hear five,” Molina said. “It was scary. I just ran. I don’t know if I ran this way or ran this way, but I ran inside and I locked the door. I was inside. But I was so scared because it’s a shooting.”
Molina said she wasn’t aware of any previous issues with the family.
Another neighbor said the same thing.
“It’s quiet. It’s calm. No problems,” Isaul Marines told us. “I was in the kitchen when I heard the shots, and we come out and then all the police cars.”
Bullet holes could be seen on the side of the home where the shooting happened, as well as on other nearby houses.
KHOU 11 spoke briefly on the phone with the mother of the woman who died. She said she was at home at the time of the shooting and heard the gunshots, but it was a total surprise to her.
She described her daughter as a loving mother. Now, she just wants to know why her granddaughter could have done something like this.
While it is still unclear what exactly led up to the shooting, experts said that when it comes to avoiding family violence, communication is key.
“De-escalation techniques, keep talking to your kids, even if they don’t want to talk to you, just keep going back and back,” Cecily Henderson, executive director of Resource and Crisis Center of Galveston County, said.
Henderson added that her organization can help families work through any issues that may arise.
“We have counselors that can talk with the families and guide them through the process. We can put together safety plans,” Henderson said.
Galveston police said the investigation into the shooting is still ongoing.
Resources for victims of domestic or family violence
Domestic and family violence cases in the Houston area have increased at an alarming rate. Victims often suffer in silence because they feel scared, helpless or ashamed.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, here are some discreet ways to reach out for help.
The Houston Area Women’s Center has a 24-hour hotline for victims of domestic violence at 713-528-2121 or 1-800-256-0551.
The Family Time Crisis Center can also be reached 24 hours a day at 281-446-2615.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
Crisis Text Line: Text START to 88788.
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