6 Horrendous Texas Crimes Committed on Valentine’s Day

Valentine's Day is the day of love but it's not always treated that way in Texas. There have been some insane crimes that have occurred on Valentine's Day -- some grizzlier than others.

Attempted Murder-Suicide at Whataburger in 2023

In Corpus Christi in 2023, a tragic story occurred at the parking lot of a Whataburger: a couple would be found shot and nearly killed near Port Avenue. According to eyewitnesses, the man shot his girlfriend on Valentine's Day morning and then turned the gun on himself. Police were able to show up in time to call paramedics. Both people would be taken to the hospital with serious injuries but would both live.

Shakiya Cruz was accused of a murder on Valentine's Day in 2020

27-year-old Shakira Cruz was arrested for shooting and killing a man in Houston, Lorenzo Guevara on Valentine's Day in 2020. Cruz was caught & told officers she killed him because her life was threatened. The craziest part of the story was that this wasn't her first murder. She was accused of the beating, robbing & strangling of David Oshodi-Alagoa in November of 2013.

This Drive-By Shooting occurred in Dallas in 2020

17-year-old Yordi Rodriguez was arrested for his connection to a drive-by shooting in Oak Cliff in Dallas, Texas. When caught, police found the rifle used in the shooting, along with ammunition & marijuana at his house. Yordi was charged with deadly conduct, unlawful carrying of a weapon, resisting arrest, possession of marijuana, and possession of marijuana in a drug-free zone.

The Waco Valentine's Day Double Murder in 1989

Over 25 years ago, the city of Waco saw a tragic double murder occurred at a City Software Company on 409-B North Robinson Dr. 52 year old James Monta Tolen (the company's co-owner) & 33 year old Karey Irene Bowdoin (the company's secretary) were found shot & killed on the floor by an unknown assailant. Sadly this case remains unsolved since it occurred back in 1989.

Get our free mobile app

The Murder of Marilu Serrato Geri, 1986

Probably the most known case to occur on Valentine's Day in Texas was the brutal, unsolved murder of a Houston woman named Marilu Serrato Geri on February 14, 1986. Marilu was found with 4 bullet holes in her back at the house she shared with her husband. She was pronounced dead in the hospital later that day. While there's speculation from the family on who the murderer is, to this day...the crime remains unsolved.

The Murder of Carla Walker, 1974

In Fort Worth, Texas, Carla Walker & her boyfriend were in the parking lot of a bowling alley after a Valentine's Day dance at Western Hills High School on February 17th, 1974. Carla was pulled from the car by Glen Samuel McCurley who was holding a pistol and kidnapped her. It was the last time she was seen alive.

Carla's body was found 2 days later near Lake Benbrook. Glen was arrested and sentenced to life in prison in 2021, 47 years after the murder. Glen only served 2 years as he died on July 15, 2023, at the age of 80.

Clara Harris Murders Her Husband, David Harris

While this crime didn't happen ON Valentine's Day, Clara Harris was sentenced to murder ON Valentine's Day, and with the fact that this case is very well known in Texas, I had to include it.

Clara Harris married her husband David on February 14, 1992 & both had a happy marriage... That was until July 24, 2002. Clara & her daughter Lindsey caught David cheating with another woman and Clara...decided to get into her car and enact some "street justice". She ran David over 3 times. Clara was sentenced to 20 years for murder on February 14, 2003, but was released from prison in 2018 & put on parole.

These are not the only crimes likely to occur on Valentine's Day, so please be kind to each other.

EDIT: This story was originally published on February 7, 2024