Who killed Elsa Mikeska? Reward up to $15K for info in SE Houston shooting

Candlelight vigil held for great grandmother shot and killed outside southeast Houston gym

Elsa Mikeska’s family is asking for your help identifying her murderers. Last week, the 62-year-old great grandmother was fatally shot outside a gym in southeast Houston. FOX 26 Houston’s Natalie Hee tells us more on how loved ones are honoring her memory.

HOUSTON - Authorities and the family of a woman who was killed as she arrived at her gym in southeast Houston last week are asking the public for help finding those responsible for her death.

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According to police, Elsa Mikeska, 62, was shot and killed when suspects confronted her as she arrived at her gym in the 10500 block of Fuqua Street around 4:50 a.m. last Thursday.

During a press conference Monday afternoon, Mikeska’s family was joined by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner, and Crime Stoppers of Houston to seek the public’s help identifying her killers.

Chief Finner says they need the entire public to come together in bringing Mikesa's killers to justice and are offering an increased reward of up to $15,000 for any information that will lead to their arrest.

Two of her daughters, Angela Rocha and Lauren Hanigan also spoke during the press conference, urging the public to come forward.

"She was not your average 62-year-old woman," Rocha said. "She was really active and really healthy and did everything that she could to live a long, active life. to be with us, and it was taken from us. So if you know something, please come forward."

"This has been really hard for us. but seeing the support has been so overwhelming and so touching and we appreciate that," Hanigan added. "So please if anybody knows anything, no matter how small it may be, please come forward. We need this. We need justice for my mother."

Police say Mikeska was arriving at the gym to work out when she was shot and killed in the parking lot.

"An older model white suburban, probably 2000 to 2007, pulled up near her. Passenger gets out of the car and there were some words exchanged. She starts running and one gunshot was fired," said HPD Detective Sgt. Thomas Simmons.

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Investigators said Mikeska was shot in the back as she tried to run away. She reportedly died on the scene before paramedics could arrive.

Detectives believe three Hispanic males in their early to mid-20s may be responsible for the woman’s murder, as well as another attempted robbery just an hour before.

"A female's car was actually broken down and she thought they were pulling up to help her. They brandished a gun. [Mikeska] ran away and they supposedly rummaged through the car," Simmons said.