21-year-old wanted for shooting that killed 1, wounded 4 in SE Houston after-hours bar: HPD

The family of one of the victims has also filed a lawsuit against the after-hours bar claiming negligence in several areas.
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Police have put a name and a face to the suspect they say is wanted in connection with a mass shooting inside Socio 45 Bar, a southeast Houston after-hours club.

The video above is from a previous report.
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The shooting happened July 23 at 9263 Gulf Freeway at about 4:30 a.m.

Authorities said 21-year-old Roger Valdes is charged with murder and four counts of aggravated assault for the shooting that killed 22-year-old Israel Gonzalez and wounded four others.



On the morning of the shooting, HPD officers were dispatched to the scene in reference to a shooting call outside the after-hours club. When they arrived, police found multiple victims with gunshot wounds. Paramedics took three victims to the hospital, including Gonzalez, who was later pronounced dead. A fourth victim was taken to the hospital in a private vehicle. A fifth victim refused medical attention at the scene.
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While it's unclear what led to the shooting, authorities said an investigation identified Valdes as the suspect. He is currently not in custody, but authorities have released a photo of Valdes in an effort to find him.



As police search for the suspect, the bar where the shooting took place has been hit with a lawsuit.

Gonzalez's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Socio 45 Bar. In the lawsuit, his mother claims the after-hours bar was negligent in several areas: for over-serving alcohol, for serving alcohol after the local cut-off time, for failing to train employees on TABC rules, and for failing to provide property security. His family is seeking more than $1 million.

Anyone with information on Valdes' whereabouts is urged to contact the Houston Police Department's Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS and refer to case No. 104455323.
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