More Charges Possible in Woman’s Death

TYLER � Authorities are investigating new information connected to Tuesday’s shooting death of a Smith County woman. According to a sheriff’s office news release, an incident took place on CR 333 at approximately 8:00 a.m., prior to the murder, relating to numerous shots being fired near suspect Adrian Mata’s residence. Authorities say this was not reported to the sheriff�s office at the time of the event, but was learned during the investigation. The release says the sheriff’s office is still searching for the medium gray PT Cruiser in which the suspect reportedly fled.

Also, a pistol was recovered during Mata’s arrest Tuesday afternoon. The sheriff�s office will not elaborate as to whether it is the murder weapon. It is currently being analyzed at the Texas Department of Public Safety Laboratory. Officials say the SCSO does expect additional charges to be pursued against Mata and will announce those when they are filed.

Mata, 29, remains in custody on bonds totaling $1 million in the shooting death of his wife. Authorities allege that he shot Jennifer Mata, 30, in the head and then fled the scene. She was taken to East Texas Medical Center, where she died shortly after 3:00 Tuesday afternoon — about 4 hours after the shooting on County Road 333, just north of Loop 323. The suspect was located at a residence on Serenity Way in The Villages, off Farm Road 2661. He was taken into custody without incident by the Smith County Sheriff�s Office. Mata has been charged with murder and aggravated assault/family violence with a deadly weapon.