Fortunato Barrera Jr. : Man Kills Woman in Front of Daughter: Shocking Crime Unveiled

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Shocking court documents have recently emerged, alleging that Fortunato Barrera Jr., an Edinburg resident, committed a heinous crime by killing a woman in broad daylight while her innocent 3-year-old daughter was present in the backseat of the vehicle.

The charges against Barrera include murder, endangering a child, and violation of a protective order, as per jail records. His bond has been set at a staggering $11,250,000, reflecting the severity of the alleged crimes.

According to a chilling probable cause affidavit, the tragic incident unfolded on Tuesday at the 2300 block of Maple Avenue, sending shockwaves through the community.

Upon the arrival of detectives at the scene, they discovered the lifeless body of the victim, later identified as Janet Vichique, seated in the driver’s seat, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

The affidavit further revealed the heart-wrenching detail that the victim’s young daughter, a mere 3 years old, was present in the backseat of the vehicle at the time of the brutal murder.

Witnesses recounted the harrowing sight of Barrera fleeing the scene, only to be apprehended by law enforcement at the 3600 block of N. Bicentennial Blvd., marking a swift end to his escape.

During the arrest, Barrera allegedly made a chilling statement, saying, “Just take me already, you know what I did,” underscoring the gravity of the situation.

Further analysis of surveillance footage provided damning evidence, showing Barrera parking his vehicle adjacent to Vichique’s, exiting the vehicle, and callously shooting her while she sat inside, defenseless.

Adding a disturbing layer to the case, the affidavit mentioned that Barrera had been previously arrested on June 6th, 2024, for stalking the same victim, shedding light on a dark and troubling history between the two individuals.