James Wesley Lucas Jr., a 44-year-old man from Corpus Christi, Texas, was tragically shot and killed on September 20, 2021, in the parking lot of a Stripes gas station located at Ayers and Horne Road. The incident occurred around 4:45 PM, and Lucas was later transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
The Corpus Christi Police Department launched an investigation into the shooting and identified Terry Stafford and Mercedes Martinez as persons of interest.
Surveillance footage captured images of the suspects' SUV and two women, but the shooter's image was not released. Both Stafford and Martinez were arrested a few days later in North-Central Texas and were charged with Lucas's murder. Stafford was accused of shooting Lucas, while Martinez faced additional charges for failure to report a felony and hindering apprehension.
The investigation is ongoing, and the police have urged anyone with information about the case to come forward. Lucas's parents have publicly expressed their grief and called for justice, hoping that the public will help identify the shooter.
The case has drawn significant attention, and the community continues to seek answers and justice for James Wesley Lucas Jr. The investigation remains active, and the suspects are expected to be extradited to Nueces County for further legal proceedings.
