Joshua Rios, a 38-year-old man, was fatally shot in the early hours of April 14, 2025, outside the El Santiago Club in Lubbock, Texas. Authorities responded to reports of gunfire at approximately 2 a.m. and discovered Rios suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to University Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Witnesses reported that Rios had been involved in a verbal dispute with a woman inside the club shortly before the shooting.
However, the argument appeared to be de-escalating when Rios stepped outside.
According to court documents, Victor Yanez, a 22-year-old man, was identified as the primary suspect in the shooting. Witnesses stated that Yanez had intervened in the dispute, allegedly brandishing a firearm and making threats. Security footage confirmed that Yanez approached Rios before entering a silver Hyundai Sonata. As the vehicle was leaving the club, shots were fired from the passenger seat, striking Rios multiple times. Investigators determined that Yanez had been present at the club with a group of women, including his sister, and that the altercation stemmed from an argument between Rios and one of Yanez’s acquaintances.
Following the incident, Yanez turned himself in to the Lubbock County Detention Center on April 17, 2025. He was formally charged with murder and remained in custody on a $350,000 bond. A Lubbock County grand jury later indicted Yanez on the charge, solidifying the case against him. Authorities noted that Rios had not posed a threat to anyone at the time of the shooting, and the attack appeared to be unprovoked. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident continued as officials gathered additional witness statements and reviewed further evidence.
