Four years after Navy veteran Mauro Gauna was shot on the North Freeway, his family says the case is still unsolved and they’re pleading for answers.
HOUSTON — The family of 27-year-old Mauro Gauna, a Navy veteran and nurse who was shot and killed on the North Freeway, is still searching for answers four years after his death. Gauna was heading out to pick up food on December 1, 2021, when he was gunned down in what his family believes was a road rage shooting. No arrest has been made and the family says communication from Houston police has slowed over time.
Gauna’s older sister, Glenda Duran, said the family is marking another year without answers.
“Today marks his fourth year of him passing away,” she said.
Duran said Gauna had just left Midtown around 6:30 that evening when someone shot him through his car window and struck him in the neck.
“Shot him and it went through the window through his neck. They believe it was road rage,” she said.
Gauna managed to pull his car over, and Good Samaritans stopped when they noticed something was wrong. But it was too late. Gauna had already died.
“We have an empty chair that no one else can fill,” Duran said.
Four years later, the family says the investigation feels stalled and that updates from the Houston Police Department have been infrequent.
“It’s been a while since the first email and phone calls,” Duran said. “I have left voicemails. It’s angry, it’s been a while, they haven’t reached back to me.”
Duran said there has been little communication to let them know whether investigators are making progress.
“No follow up. No calling the family, let them know we don’t have a lead. Give them an update,” she said.
Road rage shootings remain a widespread problem in Texas. Advocates note that the state leads the nation in such incidents. This year, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 3031, which increases penalties for road rage shootings.
Crime Stoppers Victim Advocate Andy Kahan said the new law raises the stakes for offenders.
“Senate Bill 3031 basically enhances road rage shootings to a first degree felony,” he said.
Kahan said the law is meant to deter people from firing a gun behind the wheel.
“Message gets out to those engaged in reckless behavior we are coming,” he said. “If we do catch you and convict you, you will not breathe free air. There is ramifications and consequences.”
As Gauna’s family waits for answers, they are urging anyone with information to come forward.
“We need someone to please come forward,” Duran said. “Accountability from HPD for those who were there and were able to see something, come forward.”
Houston police say the case remains open and they have no new information to release. A $5,000 Crime Stoppers reward is available for tips that lead to an arrest. After our interview with the family, an HPD investigator reached out and provided them with an update on the case.