Mark Anthony Barbosa, a 25-year-old male from McKinney, Texas, tragically lost his life on March 12, 2004, in what became known as the McKinney quadruple murder. This horrific event, also referred to as the Truett Street massacre, involved a home invasion and mass shooting that resulted in the deaths of four individuals. The incident occurred when Eddie Williams, Javier Cortez, and Raul Cortez entered the home of Rosa Barbosa, a 46-year-old clerk at a local check-cashing business.
The perpetrators believed that Rosa Barbosa took cash home from her workplace daily. When they couldn't find any money in the house, they forced Rosa to give them the key and alarm code to the check-cashing business. One of the men then shot and killed Rosa Barbosa.
Before the shooters could leave, Mark Barbosa, Rosa's nephew, entered the home with his friends Matt Self, a 17-year-old male, and Austin York, an 18-year-old male. The three burglars forced Mark Barbosa, Self, and York into a bedroom and shot them before fleeing the scene. Mark Barbosa, a carpenter of Protestant faith, was born on May 19, 1978, in McKinney to Alejandro and Carole Barbosa, Jr. He was survived by his parents, brothers, and grandparents.
The investigation into the murders initially led to the arrest of several suspects, but they were released due to a lack of evidence. The case remained unsolved for several years until Talisha Haithcox, the girlfriend of Eddie Williams, contacted the police and implicated Williams in the murders. McKinney Police Detective Joe Arp gathered DNA evidence that linked Raul Cortez to the crime scene. Investigators collected a cigarette butt from Cortez's workplace in Florida and used it as DNA evidence against him. Additionally, DNA evidence from latex glove pieces and duct tape left behind at the crime scene was used to cross-reference and match Cortez's DNA.
Eddie Williams and Talisha Haithcox cooperated with the police, leading to the arrest of Raul Cortez. Williams admitted that he had been at Raul Cortez's house in McKinney planning to rob the check-cashing business where Rosa Barbosa worked. Raul Cortez was eventually convicted of capital murder and remains on death row. Eddie Williams also faced charges and remains in prison after pleading guilty.
The murders of Rosa Barbosa, Mark Barbosa, Matt Self, and Austin York had a profound impact on the McKinney community. The case received national attention and was featured on an episode of America's Most Wanted, which helped lead to the capture of the suspects. The families of the victims have worked to honor their memories by raising funds for scholarships and other initiatives in their names.
