Arthur Cantu Jr., a 37-year-old man from Abilene, Texas, tragically lost his life on June 25, 2018. Cantu was fatally shot on his front porch in the 2400 block of Hardy Street after an argument with George Almanza, 47, who was the estranged husband of Cantu's girlfriend. The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m., and witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots.
Cantu, who was also a resident of the home, was shot in the head with what police believe was a 12-gauge shotgun.
Following the shooting, Almanza was arrested and charged with murder. He was found just after midnight at Hendrick Medical Center and later confessed to the crime, claiming that the shooting was due to a domestic disturbance. Almanza had reportedly made several death threats against Cantu in the days leading up to the incident. He was indicted by a Taylor County grand jury and held in custody with a $250,000 bond.
The investigation revealed that Almanza confronted Cantu and his girlfriend at their residence, leading to the fatal shooting. The weapon used in the crime has not been recovered, and police executed a search warrant for Almanza's vehicle in hopes of finding it. The case drew significant attention from the local community and law enforcement, with efforts focused on bringing justice for Cantu's untimely death.
Arthur Cantu Jr.'s death was a tragic event that shook the community of Abilene, leaving his family and friends to mourn the loss of a young man taken too soon.
