Fort Worth neighbors demand justice after 66-year-old woman killed inside her own home

Fort Worth neighbors on elderly woman killed in home

Fort Worth police are investigating the death of a 66-year-old woman who was killed inside her home Friday night by a stray bullet fired from the street.

FORT WORTH, Texas - Neighbors in Fort Worth are shocked after finding out that one of their neighbors was killed after a bullet went through her home.

A sudden tragedy

What we know:

Neighbors can believe their home is the one place the world can’t reach them. Where random danger stops at the door. All of that was shattered on Friday night when Fort Worth police responded to what seemed like a routine medical call of a woman who had fallen inside her home at 8:51 p.m.

Medical call to homicide

66-year-old Magdalene Mancho was taken to the hospital and an hour later police learned that the injury wasn’t from a fall but a gunshot. 

"We immediately went out to the location where we first received a medical call, set up the crime scene, and within that timeframe, we were informed that the victim was deceased," said Fort Worth police officer, Buddy Calzada.

Community in Fear

What they're saying:

Just a few houses down inside their own home, a grandmother and her grandchildren ducked for safety.

"My home is my peace. It doesn't go anywhere. I do everything at the house. My children are here with me, and we enjoy ourselves here," said neighbor, Michelle Myers.

"I've never experienced someone like that close to me being shot. And I have children, so you know, with that being said, a bullet didn't have a name on it. It can travel anywhere."

Police say the bullet came from outside the house, hitting the 66-year-old woman while she was inside. Cameras captured what looked like a bullet hole through Mancho’s front door.

"If you did it, come forward, because they could have been your grandmother. Think about it. You know, bring yourself forward," said Myers.

"But understand me, you have death on your hands."

What's next:

Neighbors share this message with those who are grieving, "All I can do is just say, you know, keep your head up. I can't. I don't know how you feel, but grieving has its own time of healing."

The search for answers

About an hour before the medical call, police had received reports of shots fired in the neighborhood.

"We need to know who did this and why they did it," said Officer Calzada. "So, check your cameras, if you live in the area, see what you may see out there, because we're still deeply investigating the situation, because we have a loss of life in Fort Worth."

What you can do:

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Fort Worth Police Department.