Moises Tamez, a 22-year-old Hispanic male, was tragically shot and killed on May 22, 2016, in McAllen, Texas. The incident occurred around 9:00 PM in the parking lot of a Stripes convenience store located on South 10th Street. According to police reports, a group of at least seven people began arguing outside the store, which escalated into a physical altercation. During the confrontation, Tamez was shot in the head and was found face down by responding officers.
The investigation revealed that the shooting followed a dispute earlier in the day between Tamez and several individuals.
In the aftermath of the shooting, five out of the seven people involved in the argument were arrested. However, the police did not immediately disclose the relationship between the deceased and those arrested. The investigation continued, and authorities urged anyone with information about the crime to contact McAllen Crime Stoppers. The five individuals arrested were awaiting charges depending on the outcome of the investigation.
One of the key suspects in the case was Jesus Alejandro Cuevas, a 30-year-old man from Pharr, Texas. Cuevas was charged with shooting and killing Moises Tamez. He pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance, and in exchange, prosecutors moved to dismiss the murder charge. The drug charge stemmed from a search of Cuevas' residence following his arrest, where police found 33 grams of cocaine. Cuevas received a 10-year prison sentence for the drug charge, which ran concurrently with a federal 10-year sentence for selling, distributing, or dispensing a controlled substance. During the investigation, it was discovered that Cuevas had attempted to recover approximately two pounds of cocaine while out on bond for the murder case. Special agents coordinated an operation to deliver sham cocaine to Cuevas, leading to his arrest and the discovery of nearly 31 pounds of cocaine and a .22 caliber firearm at his residence.
The case of Moises Tamez's death highlights the complexities and challenges faced by law enforcement in solving violent crimes. The involvement of multiple individuals, the presence of drugs, and the subsequent legal proceedings all contributed to the intricate nature of the investigation. Despite the dismissal of the murder charge against Cuevas, the case remains a stark reminder of the tragic consequences of violence and the ongoing efforts to seek justice for the victims and their families.
