17-year-old charged with capital murder in shooting death of teen boy in Cypress-area backyard

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A 17-year-old was charged with capital murder for the shooting that killed a teen boy in a Cypress-area backyard in 2024, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.

On Wednesday, the Violet Criminal Apprehension Team and Harris County Precinct 5 deputy constables arrested Mark Leyva. He was accused of murder in the shooting death of 17-year-old Giovanni Cruz at the 7800 block of Galleon Field Drive on Dec. 21, 2024.

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Leyva is currently booked in the Harris County Jail.

An investigation is still ongoing, and detectives urge anyone with info about this shooting to contact HCSO Homicide at 713-274-9100.