206 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Austin Monroe Cruz

Death by Force
Case Description
Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Austin Monroe Cruz, a 17-year-old male from Lubbock, Texas, tragically passed away on January 13, 2022. According to reports, Cruz was visiting a friend, 17-year-old Jaden Montelongo, at his home when the incident occurred. The two were handling a firearm when it accidentally discharged, striking Cruz. He was found with a gunshot wound and was later pronounced dead at University Medical Center.

Following the incident, Montelongo was charged with criminally negligent homicide. Initially, M ...Read More
Links to Additional Sources (7)
See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • https://www.kcbd.com: Victim identified in fatal Thursday shooting
  • 9th Street shooting turns fatal, victim identified in police report
    •     ...View 5 additional sources
    Victim Details

    Austin Monroe Cruz

    Male

    Lubbock

    TX

    2022-01-13

    17

    Austin

    Monroe Cruz

    11/23/2025

    Forum Posts (3)
    I can’t stop thinking about the role of firearm safety training, especially among teenagers. This ... ...Read More
    04/02/2024
    I'm really struck by the community's response to Austin Monroe Cruz's passing. It's painfully clear ... ...Read More
    10/23/2023
    Has anyone else been following the updates on Austin Monroe Cruz's case? It's such a tragic story, a... ...Read More
    09/18/2023
    Other Cases from Lubbock, Texas

    Eric Gilbert Garcia

    Death: Mar 21, 2024
    On March 21, 2024, 19-year-old Eric Garcia was fatally shot near a gas station in the 1600 block of f ...Read More

    Devin Deshon Holland

    Death: Jan 17, 2016
    Devin Deshon Holland, an 18-year-old male of African American ethnicity from Lubbock, Texas, tragica c ...Read More

    Dominic Mejia

    Death: Oct 08, 2019
    Dominic Mejia, a 13-year-old boy from Lubbock, Texas, tragically died on October 8, 2019. The Lubboc o ...Read More

    Lawrence Brantley

    Death: Aug 18, 2025
    Lawrence Milton Brantley III, 18, a Black male from Lubbock, was killed on August 18, 2025, after gu g ...Read More

    Darrean Lee Nichols

    Death: Apr 24, 2020
    Darrean Lee Nichols, a 17-year-old male from Lubbock, Texas, tragically passed away on April 24, 202 0 ...Read More

    Matthew Pickett

    Death: Mar 09, 2018
    Matthew Wayne Pickett, a 30-year-old man from Lubbock, Texas, tragically passed away on March 9, 201 0 ...Read More

    Jeremy Conde

    Death: May 24, 2024
    On May 24, 2024, 38-year-old Jeremy Ray Conde was fatally shot in central Lubbock, Texas. Born on Ja J ...Read More