Dunieski Castillo Leyva, a 43-year-old man of Hispanic ethnicity, was fatally shot in his pickup truck in southeast Austin, Texas, on July 9, 2017. The incident occurred at the Pleasant Hill Apartments on Anken Drive, where Castillo Leyva was found with obvious trauma. According to police reports, Castillo Leyva and two friends had responded to a sexually-oriented ad on Backpage.com and drove to an apartment for the transaction.
An argument ensued when the services were not provided as expected, and Castillo Leyva and his friends requested their money back. The situation escalated into violence, and Castillo Leyva attempted to leave in his truck. As he backed out, 17-year-old Julian Juan Medrano ran to the front of the truck and fired a round, hitting Castillo Leyva and killing him instantly.
Following the incident, Julian Juan Medrano was arrested and charged with murder. He was taken into custody and held on a $100,000 bond. The investigation continued, and detectives indicated that additional charges against others involved were expected. The case drew significant attention from local law enforcement and the community, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward.
The tragic death of Dunieski Castillo Leyva highlighted the dangers associated with responding to online ads and the potential for violent confrontations. The case also underscored the importance of community cooperation in aiding law enforcement investigations to bring justice for victims and their families.
