Two Houston residents, Terry Ardoin, 24, and Travonte Ardoin, 27, have been indicted on charges connected to a fatal shooting at a local shopping center. Authorities allege that both individuals are members of the street gang known as Free Money.
Court documents indicate that the Free Money gang is involved in activities such as robbery, home invasions, drug distribution, and murder. The indictment alleges that the Ardoins carried out the killing during an ongoing conflict with a rival gang.
The incident took place on June 24, 2022. According to court records, the Ardoins allegedly followed a Chevrolet Equinox into a shopping center parking lot while driving a black Nissan Altima. After one occupant of the Equinox entered a store and another remained in the vehicle, both suspects reportedly exited their car wearing masks and opened fire when the driver returned. Multiple rounds were fired into the passenger compartment of the Equinox. Law enforcement arrived within minutes and found one victim deceased.
Terry and Travonte Ardoin face charges including murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and causing death through use of a firearm. If convicted on these counts, they could receive life sentences or possibly face the death penalty.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation with support from the Houston Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Brown is prosecuting this case along with Trial Attorney Ralph Paradiso from the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section.
According to authorities: “This case is part of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime Initiative to prosecute violent crimes in Houston. The Criminal Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas have partnered, along with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, to confront violent crimes gang members and associates have committed through the enforcement of federal laws and use of federal resources to prosecute violent offenders and prevent further violence.”
Officials note that indictments are formal accusations only; all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty through legal proceedings.
