Three suspects have been charged after a former Republican candidate for Texas state Senate alleged she was “gagged, bound, [and] tortured” during a Christmas Eve ambush.
Vanessa Tijerina, a one-time candidate who lost her bid for office in November, tearfully recalled the attack during several Facebook livestream videos following the incident. She said she was lured to the Texas Inn in Raymondville, Texas, after receiving a phone call requesting a meeting to discuss “something very important regarding her safety.” Tijerina told KVEO that Amanda Salinas, who was wearing a black bra, and two others proceeded to beat her.
“This happened to me at 11:00 this morning. I want you all to know that,” said Tijerina, gesturing to her injured face hours after the attack. “This is my face. You cannot recognize me. … Somebody wanted this done to my face, and it was done to my face.”
The former candidate claimed the three assailants “stole everything” from her, including Christmas presents that she had bought for her children.
“They stole my car. They stole my money. They stole everything from me,” she said.
Police have arrested Salinas, along with Ariel Vera and Raymond Santana, in connection with the case. There is no known motive for the attack at this time.
The Raymondville Police Department could not be immediately reached for comment.
