Kevin Villafranca Torres was 21 when he was shot during an apparent dispute over a handgun purchase in Brownsville on the evening of Friday, November 1, 2024. Police say a disagreement at the meeting led to an exchange of gunfire; officers found him unresponsive on the southbound Frontage Road near 7077 N Expressway 77/83 at about 8:51 p.m. He was taken to a local hospital and died of his injuries on November 3, 2024.

Investigators quickly traced a suspect vehicle, a red 2011 Chevy Cruze with bullet holes, to an apartment in Harlingen. A standoff there ended peacefully and led to multiple arrests. Initial arrests included 22-year-old Allexsis Marie Street, 20-year-old Kody Gonser, and 19-year-old D’Marco Donez, who was identified as the alleged shooter. Two more people from Harlingen — 17-year-old Hercules Aaron Delgado and 18-year-old Adrian Marquez-Lopez — were later charged in connection with the killing.

Legal actions changed after the homicide charge filings: murder charges against Allexsis Street and Kody Gonser were dismissed in January 2025, and the organized criminal activity charge against D’Marco Donez was dropped. As of January 2025, D’Marco Donez and Hercules Aaron Delgado remain charged with murder; Donez is in custody on a $1 million bond while Delgado and Adrian Marquez-Lopez have posted bail. Anyone who knew Kevin or has information about the shooting is asked to come forward.