Jahmar Sampson killed: Houston murder suspect surrenders to small border town police department

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A man who had been on the run for six months following a deadly shooting in north Houston went to the Donna Police Department Wednesday afternoon and turned himself in, the department said.

Roberto Madrigal, 30, is in custody of the US Marshals Service, awaiting extradition. According to a press release, “at approximately 3:20 p.m., a man entered the Donna Police Department and wanted to turn himself into a police officer.”

Madrigal was wanted on charges of murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for the Dec. 27, 2023, shooting of Jahmar Sampson and Rafael Smith at a Lee Road business. Smith survived the shooting, but Sampson died a week later. HPD said the shooting was sparked by an argument.

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“It’s wonderful news. Let’s get this straight,” Sampson’s mother, Rhonda Bailey, told ABC13. “This is great news because now I can start to heal.”

Donna police have not said whether Madrigal gave a reason for his surrender, but Sampson’s mother said she didn’t need one.

“I guess he felt like he was in a box. He felt the walls closing in,” she said.

Bailey said Madrigal scored no points with her for turning himself in, and now she wants to see him stand trial. Sampson died two days after his 33rd birthday. He was her only child.

“I still think he (Madrigal) should go to prison without parole. He deserves it,” Bailey said.

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