HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Houston cold case has been solved after investigators said a convicted felon confessed to killing a man over a parking spot 10 years ago.
Harris County investigators said Richard Sepulveda was shot and killed in 2004 in southwest Houston. He was found in his crashed car in the the 6000 block of South Highway 6. At the time, investigators said they had physical evidence that Allen Eugene, now 32, got into an argument with Sepulveda over a parking spot in the 6200 block of South Highway 6. Investigators said after the argument, Eugene ran after Sepulveda and shot him while hanging from the side of Sepulveda's car.
"All I can remind my kids now is just pictures, that's it," said Sepulveda's daughter Guadalupe on Thursday. "You kind of appreciate who you have in your life."
The case went cold. Investigators said they didn't have enough evidence to charge Eugene with murder.
"He provided absolutely nothing. He was extremely uncooperative and that case just went cold," said Harris County Sheriff Sgt. Eric Clegg.
During a press conference Thursday, Sgt. Clegg said last year, he got a call from Sepulveda's daughter.
"I didn't want my father's case to be boxed away," said Guadalupe Sepulveda.
The tearful plea was to reopen her fathers case, and look at the evidence and Allen once again. Sgt. Clegg did just that, and paid Eugene a visit in his prison cell in Huntstville. Eugene, a self proclaimed Bloods gang member, was there serving a 10-year sentence for shooting another man. After hours, he made a confession.
"He confessed. I got to tell ya, he didn't confess to get it off his chest, it was pretty self centered," said Sgt. Clegg.
Investigators charged Eugene with murder. Investigators said Eugene was set to be released in April, but now he will stay in prison.
"It being his anniversary, one of the greatest moments," said Sepulveda. "I'm just grateful that he's going to be locked away, hopefully he won't come out ever again and do this to another family."
Eugene is suspected in several other non-fatal shootings from 2004. Harris County Sheriff Garcia said Sepulveda has admitted to the shootings, but cannot be charged since the statute of limitations has expired.