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Shooting deaths at mattress stores in Houston are linked, police say

A Mattress Firm employee was found shot to death in the back office of a Houston store, police said.

HOUSTON — A man found dead at a Mattress One store in Houston has been linked to two other area shooting deaths, including a woman who was discovered Saturday at a Mattress Firm and a 62-year-old woman who was killed Friday, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Houston police and the Harris County Sheriff's Office named Jose Gilberto Rodriguez, 46, as the suspect in the murders, KTRK reported. Rodriguez is a parolee who was released from prison last year, authorities said.

Since 1989, court records show that Rodriguez has been convicted on burglary, attempted aggravated sex abuse, auto theft and criminal trespassing charges, KTRKreported. He is also a registered sex offender, the television station reported.

Monday afternoon, police received a call to a Mattress One store in north Houston, the Chronicle reported. When they arrived, police found an unidentified man who was shot to death, Houston Police Department spokeswoman Jodi Silva said.

Saturday night, a store manager for a Mattress Firm near the Willowbrook Mall found Allie Barrow, 28, dead and positioned between two mattresses,  KTRK reported.

Barrow had a gunshot wound to the head, according to the Harris County Institute of Forensic Science.

Friday, 62-year-old Pamela Johnson was found dead in her home, KTRK reported. Authorities said the woman's vehicle was seen being driven by a man.

“All three cases appear to be related,” Houston police Lt. Humberto Lopez said at a news conference.

Both mattress companies released statements Monday.

Mattress One “is deeply saddened and would like to offer its deepest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of its deceased associate.”

“We're deeply saddened to learn that one of our team members was found deceased at a store in Houston,” Mattress Firm CEO Steve Stagner said in a statement. “We send our sincere condolences to this team member’s family, friends and loved ones. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement. Out of respect for the person involved, her family and the ongoing investigation, we will offer no further comment at this time.”