Josue Aguilar, an 18-year-old Hispanic male, tragically lost his life on February 21, 2019, in Houston, Texas. Josue and his 20-year-old brother, Maximo Aguilar, were ambushed and shot to death in East Houston. The incident occurred around 4:45 p.m. in the 12800 block of Eastbrook, near Strickland Park. The shooter, armed with a high-powered rifle, was positioned on the roof of an abandoned home.
Surveillance footage captured the moments following the shooting, showing individuals fleeing the scene. The ambush was reportedly a result of a feud between two groups, with the shooter targeting the victims from a vantage point on the roof.
The victims' mother, Elva Aguilar, revealed that she had pleaded with her sons not to go to the location where the ambush occurred. Despite her warnings, Josue and Maximo, along with their 25-year-old brother Julio and Josue's 18-year-old girlfriend, went to the site. The group was reportedly there to settle a score from a previous fight. During the ambush, Josue and Maximo were fatally shot, while Julio was critically injured and transported to the hospital. Josue's girlfriend sustained a gunshot wound to the knee but survived the attack.
The investigation led to the arrest of Marlon Valdez, an 18-year-old Hispanic male, who was charged with capital murder in connection to the deaths of Josue and Maximo Aguilar. Valdez was apprehended by SWAT and Houston Police Department officers at an apartment complex on Maxey Road, about a mile from the crime scene. Valdez had reportedly been in communication with Josue via text messages and Snapchat, luring him to the location of the ambush. During his probable cause hearing, prosecutors stated that Valdez had used an AR-15 rifle to carry out the attack, shooting the victims "like they were deer."
Valdez was denied bond and faced a week-long trial, during which he was convicted of capital murder. The court heard that Valdez had a prior altercation with the Aguilar brothers at the same location two days before the shooting. The site, known as "The Settling Spot," was a well-known place for youths to resolve disputes. On the day of the ambush, Valdez climbed to the roof of a vacant house and waited for the Aguilar brothers to arrive. When they did, he opened fire, killing Josue and Maximo and injuring two others. The court sentenced Valdez to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The deaths of Josue and Maximo Aguilar left their family devastated. Elva Aguilar, their mother, described her sons as loving individuals who enjoyed listening to Mexican musicians and spending time together. She denied any gang affiliations, despite their tattoos. The tragic incident highlighted the dangers of youth violence and the devastating impact it can have on families and communities.
