Argument Over Nail Prices Turns Into a Shooting

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1. A MANICURE DISPUTE TURNS INTO A SHOOTING

What started as an argument over the price of a manicure and pedicure ended with a nail salon owner being shot and rushed to the hospital.

The incident happened on May 29, 2021, at Katy Nails on Katy Freeway in west Harris County, Texas. Two sisters had reportedly received nail services and became unhappy with the price. According to investigators, the disagreement escalated inside the business. (Houston Chronicle)

But nobody inside the salon could have expected what happened next.

2. POLICE ARRIVED TO A CHAOTIC CRIME SCENE

Witnesses called authorities after shots were fired.

When Harris County Sheriff's Office deputies arrived, they found the 42-year-old salon owner suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported by Life Flight to Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center in critical but stable condition. (Houston Chronicle)

Meanwhile, the people believed to be responsible were already gone.

The investigation had instantly become a search for two sisters who had fled the salon.

3. THE ARGUMENT WAS ABOUT THE PRICE OF THE SERVICES

According to investigators, both women were unhappy with what they were being charged for their manicure and pedicure.

One sister continued arguing with the owner while the other reportedly left the business.

For a moment, it appeared the confrontation might simply end there.

But the woman who had left soon returned.

And that's when the situation escalated dramatically.

4. SHE CAME BACK — AND THE OWNER TRIED TO PUSH HER OUT

According to court documents cited by ABC13, Joana Vara returned to the salon and resumed arguing with the owner.

Investigators said the owner attempted to push her out of the business.

Then, authorities say, Vara pulled a handgun from her purse.

The argument had now become a shooting.

5. THE FIRST SHOT HIT THE SALON OWNER

According to investigators, Vara allegedly fired at the owner, striking him in the chest.

But according to court documents reported by ABC13, the incident didn't end after the first shot.

Vara allegedly left the business for several seconds.

Then she came back inside.

AND THAT'S WHEN THE CASE TOOK AN EVEN MORE DISTURBING TURN. (ABC13 Houston)

6. SHE ALLEGEDLY CAME BACK FOR A SECOND SHOT

Investigators told ABC13 that after leaving the business briefly, Vara allegedly re-entered the salon and shot the owner again before fleeing.

Outside, her sister was waiting.

The two allegedly escaped in a burnt-orange Ford Fusion, leaving investigators with a rapidly developing shooting case and a fleeing vehicle to locate. (ABC13 Houston)

7. THE GETAWAY DRIVER MADE THINGS EVEN WORSE

Authorities said Quetzali Vara, the younger sister, was driving during the escape.

According to deputies, the vehicle struck another car, ran multiple stop signs and red lights, and was driven recklessly while officers attempted to deal with the situation. (ABC13 Houston)

Quetzali was later arrested on an evading charge.

Importantly, authorities did not charge her with the shooting itself.

8. THEN POLICE FOUND A CRITICAL PIECE OF EVIDENCE

The suspects may have escaped the salon, but investigators said they didn't leave empty-handed.

They left something behind.

A PHONE.

According to the Harris County Sheriff's Office, Vara's phone was recovered at the salon after the shooting. Investigators were able to use information connected to the phone as part of the effort to identify the suspect. (https://www.kwtx.com)

It was a small detail that became extremely important to the investigation.

9. THE SUSPECT EVENTUALLY SURRENDERED

The search didn't last forever.

Authorities identified Joana Vara and arrested her on June 3, 2021. She was booked into the Harris County Jail and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Her bond was set at $60,000. (Houston Chronicle)

Her sister Quetzali was also arrested, but on the separate evading allegation rather than the shooting itself. (ABC13 Houston)

10. A PRICE DISPUTE LEFT A MAN FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE

The case is a striking example of how quickly an ordinary disagreement inside a business can escalate into a violent confrontation.

The salon owner had reportedly been arguing with the two customers over the price of their services.

Minutes later, deputies were investigating a shooting.

One suspect was facing a felony aggravated-assault charge with a $60,000 bond, another faced an evading charge, and the injured business owner was fighting to recover from his wounds. (Houston Chronicle)

WHAT BEGAN AS AN ARGUMENT OVER A MANICURE AND PEDICURE ENDED WITH POLICE, A GETAWAY CAR, A LEFT-BEHIND PHONE, AND A SHOOTING INVESTIGATION.