Juan Pablo Salas, a 58-year-old Hispanic male, was tragically killed on November 22, 2018, during a home invasion in El Paso, Texas. The incident occurred on Thanksgiving Day at his Northeast El Paso home on Signal Peak Place. Juan Pablo Salas was fatally shot at the scene, while his 24-year-old son, Jonathan Salas, also sustained gunshot wounds and later died at a hospital.
Juan Pablo's wife, Lorenza Salas, was also shot and hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.
The suspect in the case, Jason Aaron Gibson, a 38-year-old convicted burglar from Mesa, Arizona, was arrested and charged with capital murder, aggravated robbery, and aggravated kidnapping. Gibson's crime spree began in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where he allegedly beat and injured an 86-year-old man during a home invasion earlier on the same day. He then forced another victim to drive him to El Paso, where he randomly chose the Salas family's home for another home invasion. Gibson shot all three victims and fled the scene in Juan Salas' car. He was later apprehended in Daytona Beach, Florida, after a car chase by local police.
Gibson faced multiple charges in both El Paso and Las Cruces. In El Paso, he was charged with capital murder, aggravated robbery, and aggravated kidnapping. In Las Cruces, he faced charges of kidnapping, aggravated battery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated burglary, and larceny of a firearm. Gibson ultimately pleaded guilty to the charges in El Paso and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The plea agreement allowed him to avoid the death penalty.
The Salas family was deeply involved in their community, particularly at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church, where they were active members. The tragic loss of Juan Pablo and Jonathan Salas left a profound impact on their family, friends, and the local community. Funeral services for the father and son were held at the church, where the community gathered to mourn and support the surviving family members.
