Benito Juarez Jr., a 28-year-old man, was fatally shot on the evening of January 12, 2025, in Corpus Christi, Texas. The incident occurred at approximately 6:18 p.m. near Seaside Cemetery, specifically in the 200 block of Roberts Drive. When officers from the Corpus Christi Police Department arrived at the scene, paramedics from the Corpus Christi Fire Department were already administering first aid to Benito Juarez Jr.
He was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Authorities believe that multiple individuals, including Benito Juarez Jr., had gathered at the location before an altercation escalated into gunfire. The other individuals fled the scene in an unidentified vehicle. CCPD has stated that the shooting does not appear to be a random act of violence, suggesting that the victim and the suspects may have known each other.
Following the investigation, CCPD detectives secured arrest warrants for two suspects. On January 13, 2025, 20-year-old Jesse Diaz was arrested in connection with the murder of Benito Juarez Jr. Diaz was taken into custody at the Corpus Christi Police Building downtown and was later transported to the City Detention Center for booking. His bond was set at $750,000.
Later that same day, CCPD officers, in collaboration with U.S. Marshals, arrested a second suspect, 20-year-old Amber Salazar. Salazar was initially taken into custody at the 4800 block of Kendall Drive on an unrelated outstanding warrant for burglary of habitation, which carried a bond of $30,000. After being interviewed by homicide detectives, a murder warrant was obtained, and Salazar was formally charged in connection with the fatal shooting of Benito Juarez Jr. His bond for the murder charge was set at $780,000.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to gather evidence and determine the circumstances that led to the shooting. CCPD has urged anyone with information regarding the case to come forward.
