Officials arrest man accused of shooting Galena Park HS cheerleader at park 28 years ago

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A man accused of murdering a 19-year-old cheerleader two days before Christmas nearly 28 years ago in east Harris County was extradited from Mexico and booked into the Harris County Jail on Wednesday.

Documents read that Jose Luis Rios, 47, is accused of shooting and killing Kristie Martin, a Galena Park High School student, at a park in Channelview on Dec. 23, 1995, at about 12:15 a.m.

According to investigators, an officer with the Harris County Sheriff's Office responded to the shooting in the 16500 block of Market Street at Terrance Park.

When they arrived, the 19-year-old was found not breathing and injured from an apparent gunshot wound.

According to officials, Martin was at the park with three of her friends after going out to dinner.

Police said Rios and his friend, Jorge Mendez, were reportedly driving a red truck through River Terrace Park and approached a blue Chevrolet Beretta in a secluded area in the park.

According to police, Rios called over the group before Martin advised her friends they should leave. That is when Rios, sitting in the passenger seat, opened fire at least five times, striking Martin in the back and wounding another.

Police said the suspects, Rios and Mendez, who were reportedly gang members, fled to Mexico. According to officials, law enforcement also interviewed Rios' girlfriend, who said she followed Rios the night of the shooting.

The case was featured on several TV shows as the years went on, including America's Most Wanted and Unsolved Mysteries.

In 2001, the second suspect, Mendez, was arrested in Mexico. But, instead of being extradited, Mexican authorities tried him, and he was sentenced to 31 years in prison.

According to a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the FBI Houston said agents traveled to Mexico City on Wednesday to bring Rios back to the area.

The FBI said Rios is back in custody and faces the possibility of life in prison if he is convicted.

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