On July 10, 2016, Michael Yates Jr., a 39-year-old man from Houston, Texas, was fatally shot while fishing with family friends in Halls Bayou. As they were leaving, a 25-year-old man named Jose A. Rios approached them and began a conversation with one of Yates' friends. Shortly after, Rios produced a gun and shot Yates, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Following the shooting, Rios attempted to shoot Yates' other friend, but the gun jammed.
The friend managed to escape and seek help, while Rios fled the scene. Rios was charged with murder in 2016 but fled to Mexico. After an extensive investigation, Rios was located and extradited back to Harris County in August 2022 to face charges.
The case highlights the tragic and unexpected nature of Yates' death, as well as the persistence of law enforcement in pursuing justice, even across international borders.
