Henry Joe "Joby" Anderson Jr., a 22-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on December 3, 2015, in Lubbock, Texas. Joby was born on March 12, 1993, and was known for his strong family values and passion for sports. He graduated from Roosevelt High School, where he excelled in baseball, football, and track. Joby was a beloved son, brother, father, and friend, leaving behind his parents, Octavia and Henry Joe Anderson Sr., two children, Brooklyn Nay Anderson and Henry Joby
Anderson III, as well as his siblings and extended family.
On the night of December 3, 2015, Joby was shot in the 2000 block of Cedar Avenue in Lubbock. Despite the efforts of paramedics, he was pronounced dead shortly after the incident. The Lubbock Police Department quickly identified Isaias Cabello, a 27-year-old male, as the primary suspect in the shooting. Cabello was charged with murder, but evaded capture for over two years. During this time, the police released wanted posters and continued to follow leads, believing that Cabello had fled the state.
In April 2018, the U.S. Marshals Service arrested Cabello in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was found hiding under furniture in an apartment complex. Cabello was taken into custody without incident and was held in the Douglas County, Colorado jail, awaiting extradition back to Lubbock. The arrest was the result of relentless efforts by various local, state, and federal agencies, including the Lubbock Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service North Texas Fugitive Task Force Team Foxtrot.
However, the legal proceedings took an unexpected turn in March 2021. During Cabello's trial, a key witness provided testimony that significantly differed from their original statement given to the police in 2015. Due to these discrepancies, the Chief Prosecuting Attorney, Barron Slack, requested that the charges against Cabello be dismissed, citing constitutional and ethical concerns. As a result, the trial was halted, and Cabello, who had pleaded not guilty, was released.
The case of Henry Joe "Joby" Anderson Jr.'s murder remains a poignant reminder of the challenges and complexities involved in the pursuit of justice. Despite the initial progress in identifying and apprehending a suspect, the inconsistencies in witness testimony ultimately led to the dismissal of charges, leaving Joby's family and friends without closure.
