Westchase apartments murder-suicide victim was leasing manager days away from 57th birthday: Family

Houston police investigators suspect that the perpetrator of a murder-suicide incident in the Westchase area on Monday was a resident of the apartment complex.

Authorities responded to the Westchase Forest Apartments on Richmond Avenue around 2:35 p.m. following reports of the incident.

According to police findings, the assailant entered the leasing office and shot a female and male employee before turning the gun on himself. The male victim was transported to the hospital and is anticipated to recover.

Tam Residential, the property management company overseeing the complex, declined to comment on the individuals involved but released a statement expressing sorrow over the tragic event and pledging cooperation with the ongoing investigation by the Houston Police Department.

The male shooter remains unidentified.

The woman who lost her life was identified by her family as Lisa Blackburn, who passed away just 11 days before her 57th birthday. Blackburn, a wife, mother of two, and grandmother of four, was a breast cancer survivor and actively volunteered at the Houston Food Bank. She had worked as an apartment manager for the past three decades, deeply caring for her residents and often organizing parties for the children at her own expense.

Her family and the Tutu Live Mardi Gras Krewe, a non-profit group, mourned her passing, remembering her infectious smile and vibrant personality. The Krewe acknowledged her significant contributions, including organizing dance routines and tutu-making workshops, and planned to honor her during their final Mardi Gras parade of the season.