Juan Pablo Morales-Rivera, a 32-year-old man, tragically died on August 5, 2022, in Austin, Texas. He was shot and killed at a gas station located at 6310 E. Ben White Blvd. The incident began as a physical altercation between Morales-Rivera and the suspect, Jose Ehuric Hernandez, 29, which escalated into a fight. During the altercation, Hernandez shot Morales-Rivera, who was later taken to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
Following the shooting, Hernandez fled the scene in
Morales-Rivera's pickup truck. Surveillance footage showed the suspect and the victim talking before the altercation occurred. Hernandez was later involved in two additional incidents, including a car crash and a carjacking, before being arrested by the Austin Police Department's SWAT team. He was charged with first-degree murder and is currently in custody at Travis County Jail.
The case has been investigated as Austin's 45th homicide of the year. Hernandez pleaded guilty to the murder charge and received a 33-year prison sentence in March 2024. Morales-Rivera's family has set up a GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses and to send his body back to Mexico for burial.
This tragic event has deeply affected Morales-Rivera's family and the community, highlighting the devastating consequences of violence and the importance of justice in such cases.
