Emilio Perez, 16, male, Hispanic/Latino, was identified as one of three teenagers killed in a daytime shooting on Friday, October 24, 2025, in the 1000 block of Hackberry Street in Nacogdoches, Texas. Police received 911 calls about gunfire at approximately 10:22 a.m.; callers reported a person running from the scene and another lying in the street near a vehicle when officers arrived.
Perez’s family helped confirm his identity later that weekend, after authorities had initially withheld it pending notification. Two other victims were named as Dequavious LeCharles Brooks, 17, and Edward Alejandro Rivera, 18.
Detectives quickly focused on a 17-year-old suspect, Hector Cuarenta of Nacogdoches. On the day of the shooting, police obtained a warrant for Cuarenta on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon stemming from the Hackberry Street attack, and they emphasized that the violence appeared targeted and isolated.
Late on Sunday, October 26, Cuarenta surrendered to authorities and was taken to the Nacogdoches Law Enforcement Center. Multiple outlets reported the arrest and transfer to local custody, with subsequent coverage describing that he turned himself in in connection with the killings of the three teens. Officials continued to update the public as the investigation progressed.
