Officials hold press conference after neighbor shot and killed helping teen during attempted robbery

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Monday, July 30, 2018
Neighbor shot and killed helping teen during attempted robbery in north Harris Co.
Neighbor shot and killed helping teen during attempted robbery in north Harris Co.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Surveillance video captured the senseless killing of a Good Samaritan Friday night.

Moyses Arreguin, 29, lost his life after a gunmen shot him to death just yards away from his front door. He leaves behind two young daughters.

Witnesses and deputies told Eyewitness News that Arreguin tried to protect his teenage neighbor, Sergio Bruno, during an armed robbery.

The teenager said he was sitting on the tailgate of his family's pickup truck when a stranger approached him around 10:30 p.m.

The man asked Bruno about his phone before pulling out a gun and demanding cash.

"The first thing the guys said was did I drop my phone here? I was like, "I don't even know you. You don't even live here.' That's when he pulled out the gun. He said give me your money. Give me everything you've got. I had a gun pointed at me," said Bruno.

The teenager said Arreguin suddenly appeared with a baseball bat and struck one of the robbers. The criminals then opened fire with their weapons.

"After the first shot, he (Arreguin) said go inside," recalled Bruno. "That was the last word I heard from him. I called 911."

In surveillance videos obtained by Eyewitness News, you can see a car circle several times in the neighbor. You then see two men walk toward Bruno's house.

The suspects confront Bruno and then Arreguin appeared in the frame. Within seconds, you see the men fire a weapon. The video shows Bruno falling to the ground.

Arreguin's widow, Rose Cortes, said it's too painful to describe her family's immense lost. Arreguin's sister, Brenda Reyes, said her brother's spirit would light up the room. Her entire family is praying and demanding justice.

"He was always a giver," said Reyes. "That's how he was. That was my brother a giver."

Bruno's mother, Cecilia Mejia, said Arreguin died a hero protecting her son.

"It's just a random act. I wish someone would come forward. Today, it's us. Tomorrow, you may never know who it may be," said Mejia. "I'm thankful that he looked out for my son as long as he did. You know he took the ultimate sacrifice. I can't repay his family with anything. Sorry. All I can say is that I'm sorry. We want justice."

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez with the Harris County Sheriff's Office says they are searching for three Hispanic males between the ages of 16 and 20 years old.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.