Jesther Avila Matute, a 17-year-old Hispanic male, tragically lost his life on August 26, 2020, in Houston, Texas. The incident occurred at approximately 12:15 a.m. at 9450 Woodfair Drive. Houston Police Department officers responded to a report of a shooting and found Jesther Avila Matute lying in an apartment complex walkway with a gunshot wound.
He was pronounced dead at the scene by Houston Fire Department paramedics.
The investigation into Jesther Avila Matute's death led to the identification and arrest of several suspects. Melvin Sanchez, an 18-year-old Hispanic male, was charged with capital murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Marvin Lazo, a 17-year-old Hispanic male, was also charged with capital murder. Both suspects were taken into custody in early 2021. Additionally, two other suspects, Mauricio Alfaro Hernandez, a 28-year-old Hispanic male, and Edwin Jose Membreno Gibbons, a 20-year-old Hispanic male, were charged with capital murder but remained at large as of the latest updates.
The motive behind the shooting was initially unknown, but further investigation revealed the involvement of the four suspects. The charges against them were filed in various state district courts, with Sanchez and Lazo facing charges in the 184th and 351st State District Courts, respectively. Hernandez and Gibbons were charged in the 180th and 351st State District Courts.
The Houston Police Department continues to seek information regarding the whereabouts of Hernandez and Gibbons. Anyone with information is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division or Crime Stoppers. The case remains under investigation as authorities work to bring all suspects to justice and provide closure to the family of Jesther Avila Matute.
