Family remembers a caregiver taken in a workplace shooting
The Houston community is mourning a longtime caregiver and leasing agent after she was killed while working at an apartment management office on the city's west side. Relatives described Rosa Ybarra, 67, as a devoted mother, grandmother and neighborhood supporter whose life centered on helping others.
Police charging documents allege that Derrick Duane Jackson entered the management office at the Park at Woodlake Apartments and opened fire, killing Ybarra and another person, identified in reports as Felix Macz. Houston police have charged Jackson in connection with the shooting, which stunned residents and the families of the victims.
Roles at home and in the neighborhood
Ybarra’s family painted a picture of a woman who spent decades raising and caring for children and adults in her community. Before working as a leasing consultant, she ran a childcare service and regularly drove neighborhood children to school. Relatives said she often stepped in to help low-income families who lacked daycare options.
- Age: 67
- Occupation: Leasing agent / former childcare provider
- Location of shooting: Park at Woodlake Apartments, west Houston
Family members say Ybarra was also caring for her adult son with a disability and was in the process of adopting a 3-year-old boy from foster care. Those close to her said she was known to many simply as Miss Rosie, a figure who took part in holidays and neighborhood life beyond her paid work.
"She's the monarch of this family," said longtime friend Debra Uilkie, describing Ybarra's role in family gatherings and traditions.
Her granddaughter, Saleen Salinas, who was out of town when she learned of the killing, recalled a final message from her grandmother and the promise of reunion when she returned. Ybarra’s daughter, Krystal Martinez, recounted her mother’s history of caring for children and supporting neighbors in need.
Family response and call for justice
As they grieve, the family has emphasized their desire for accountability in the case. They have also established a GoFundMe fundraiser to help support those Ybarra left behind and to honor her legacy of caregiving.
Relatives asked the public to remember Ybarra for her warmth and signature style — red hair and red lipstick — and for the years she spent supporting others. Sabrina Salinas, another family member, urged the community to recall the kindness that defined her life.
Community impact and ongoing investigation
The double homicide at an apartment management office has raised concerns about safety for workers who staff residential properties across Houston. Leasing offices and similar workplace environments are typically perceived as secure, and the incident has prompted sorrow and unease among neighbors at the Park at Woodlake complex.
| Victim | Age | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Rosa Ybarra | 67 | Leasing agent, former childcare provider |
| Felix Macz | Not specified in family statements | Also killed in the shooting |
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the motive, and legal proceedings against the suspect are expected to follow. In the meantime, friends and family plan memorial events and continue raising funds to support Ybarra’s surviving relatives.
For neighbors and those who knew her, the loss is both personal and practical: they have lost a caregiver who quietly supported children, elders and neighbors for decades. The family said they hope no other household must endure this kind of pain and that Ybarra’s memory will endure through the acts of care she performed throughout her life.
