Family finds 18-year-old shot to death inside car in Cy-Fair neighborhood

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A family searching for a missing 18-year-old in a Cy-Fair area neighborhood found him shot to death inside his car overnight.

The search unfolded not far from White Oak Bayou and ended in the 7900 block of Shady Grove Lane near Woodland Oaks Drive.

Harris County sheriff's deputies said the 18-year-old was found with a gunshot wound to the head inside his black Ford Mustang, which was parked in a secluded area, around 10:45 p.m. on Tuesday.

HCSO identified the victim as Jorge Cruz-Arteaga. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

Cruz-Arteaga's family tracked his cellphone to the Woodland West Subdivision after he failed to return home and they were unable to reach him, deputies said.

Investigators said they believe the 18-year-old's death was a homicide.

Details were minimal, but investigators said Cruz-Arteaga left his residence earlier in the evening to meet unknown persons.

"We have no suspect information or suspect vehicle information at this time," Sgt. Ben Beall said.

Beall explained that the neighborhood where Cruz-Arteaga was found was purchased by Harris County Flood Control several years ago. He said a lot of the homes have been razed and the neighborhood is a park-like wooded area.

The case is being investigated by the Harris County Sheriff's Office Homicide Unit. If anyone has any information regarding the murder of Cruz-Arteaga, they are asked to contact the Homicide Unit at 713.274.9100, or call Crime Stoppers at 713.222.TIPS(8477).

For news updates, follow Charly Edsitty on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.