It happened Monday at a Shell station on West 18th and the Northwest Freeway. A petty argument over cutting in line led to the shooting death of the 19-year-old man. The video shows what looks to be a brawl before the shots were fired.
That video is the key evidence to help find the person who police say shot and killed Juan Gomez. After the shooting, the suspect drove off in a white Chevy Silverado extended cab sidestep pickup truck.
"It has specialty rims, either polished aluminum or chrome rims. We also know or believe he goes by the street name, 'Junior.'" said Ryan Chandler with the Houston Police Department.
At 2:15am Monday and after a night out at the El Chaparral night club next door to the gas station, the suspect and another man got into an altercation at the service window. Police say they believe the fight started after the suspect tried to cut in line.
"The suspect then waits for the other male to turn around, he strikes the male from behind and begins hitting him repeatedly with help from one of his friends," said Chandler.
Police say that's when Gomez ran up to help his friend who was getting beat up. The suspect then made his way to his truck to get a gun.
"It appears in the video the suspect begins to lose the fight, and therefore gains access to a gun in his vehicle," Chandler said.
Shortly after shots were fired in the crowd of people, Gomez was shot in the chest. He was transported in a private vehicle to Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his 30s, with close cut hair, facial hair on his chin, tattoos on both arms and a medium build. He was wearing a red shirt and blue jeans. Investigators believe he may have shaved his head to disguise himself.
At this point, it's unclear what charges the suspect will face once he is located and arrested.
Anyone with information in this case is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
