A Houston woman was sentenced to 25 years in prison for murder after pleading guilty to killing a man who was helping the woman’s girlfriend during an argument, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.

“Domestic violence often affects people beyond the abusive relationship, and in this case an innocent friend lost his life when the violence escalated to murder,” Ogg said. “We can never replace this brave young man, but hopefully bringing his killer to justice will give his family some peace.”

Tarquasha Nashae Robinson, 26, pleaded guilty on Thursday to murder for shooting 27-year-old Yurum Fernandes about 12:10 p.m. on Oct. 31, 2021.

Robinson and her girlfriend had recently broken up, and the girlfriend was staying with Fernandes at his apartment off South Dairy Ashford in west Houston.

Robinson went to the apartment and started arguing with her girlfriend on the second-floor landing. As the argument got heated, Robinson pushed the girlfriend down the stairs.

Fernandes came out of the apartment and helped the girlfriend up the stairs and into his apartment, with Robinson behind them. She racked the slide on her semi-automatic pistol, and when Fernandes shut the door with Robinson outside, she fired through the door, hitting the young man in the chest and killing him.

The Houston Police Department investigated.

Assistant District Attorney Lara Hogue, a chief in the trial bureau, prosecuted the case with ADA Gillian Hogan.

“Yurum was a beloved part of the Fernandes family, and we hope this will bring his loved ones some much needed closure,” Hogue said.

Hogue noted that because Robinson pleaded guilty to murder, she cannot appeal the conviction or the punishment, and she must serve at least half of the sentence before she is eligible for parole.