Baytown, Texas shooting: Ty Vaughn arrested months after fiance Luis Banos Norberto's murder allegedly staged scene
Share and Follow

BAYTOWN, Texas — A Baytown, Texas man has been arrested months after his fiancé’s murder.

Police say Ty Vaughn, 31, shot 27-year-old Luis Banos Norberto in the face on Jan. 14, and then tried to make it look like a suicide.

It happened inside their second-floor unit at the Crosby Green apartments.

According to court documents, Vaughn told investigators he’d been arguing with Norberto before coming home to find him dead.

But after viewing surveillance video and interviewing neighbors, detectives soon pieced together a timeline.

At 4:05 a.m., when Vaughn claimed he wasn’t home, he was seen walking up the stairs to his apartment. Two neighbors told police they heard a gunshot shortly thereafter.

At 4:27 a.m., he texted Norberto, who police say was already dead, “Babe? Babe why are you not texting back?!?!”

At 5:38 a.m., 93 minutes after the murder, Vaughn called 911.

“My spouse is dead. Help. My life is over,” Vaughn told dispatchers.

SEE ALSO: Woman survives being shot 11 times by ex-boyfriend at Illinois condo building, mayor says

Many neighbors say they only learned of the murder Saturday when ABC Houston affiliate KTRK approached them.

“It happened right next-door, and it’s even more nerve-wracking that it could happen, and we had no idea it even happened,” one neighbor said.

Police say they found Norberto’s body lying on a bed with a rifle propped up against one of his arms and a torn picture of him and the suspect nearby.

He’d been shot with the rifle in one of his eyes.

Police say that during interviews, Vaughn repeatedly mentioned Norberto’s immigration status unprompted.

When they searched his phone, they found he had Googled, “Can I kill an illegal human?”

KTRK spoke to Vaughn on the phone on Feb. 4, before he’d been named a suspect in Norberto’s death.

When asked if he’d spoken to Norberto the day of the murder, he replied, “I don’t know. The police know all the details.”

When KTRK asked what police told him, he said, “I don’t know. I’ve been kind of not great. I haven’t really been going to police looking for answers.”

When KTRK offered our condolences, he replied, “I mean, it is what it is.”

Vaughn’s bond was set at $500,000. He was due in court Monday morning.

Copyright © 2025 KTRK-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Things to do on New Year's Eve: Chicago-area residents prepare to celebrate end of 2025 with big events, parties, at home

Unforgettable New Year’s Eve 2025: Chicago’s Top Events, Parties, and Home Celebrations

CHICAGO – As the year draws to a close, people across the…
The most unusual New Year's Eve traditions around the world revealed

Discover Unique New Year’s Eve Traditions from Across the Globe

New Year’s Eve is often one of the most eagerly awaited nights…
Two African nations ban American citizens in diplomatic tit-for-tat following Trump admin move

U.S. Nationals Face Travel Ban: African Nations’ Bold Response to Trump Era Policies

In a significant diplomatic move, two West African countries have simultaneously imposed…
Mali and Burkina Faso announce reciprocal travel ban on US

Mali and Burkina Faso Implement Mutual Travel Ban on U.S. Citizens Amid Diplomatic Tensions

Mali and Burkina Faso have announced a travel ban targeting U.S. citizens,…
Winning '$1,000 A Week For Life' lottery ticket sold in St. Augustine

St. Augustine Resident Scores Big with Lifetime $1,000 Weekly Lottery Win

In a stroke of New Year’s luck, a lucky individual in St.…
Bibi, Laura and a pair of Netflix stars top Trump's New Year's Eve

Trump’s New Year’s Eve Celebration Headlined by Bibi, Laura, and Netflix Stars

Since the late 1990s, President Donald Trump has been known for throwing…
Missing elderly person found in bitter cold woods after police deploy thermal imaging drone

Thermal Drone Saves the Day: Missing Elderly Person Rescued from Icy Woods

On Monday, Pennsylvania officials announced the successful location of a missing senior…
Wallaby named Rex found safe after escaping from Lots of Love Farm in Williamstown, New Jersey

Rex the Escaped Wallaby Safely Returns Home: A Happy Ending at Lots of Love Farm in Williamstown, NJ

WILLIAMSTOWN, N.J. — Rex, the wandering wallaby from Williamstown, has been joyfully…