On the afternoon of December 8, 2025, deputies with the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call regarding shots fired at a property in the 6100 block of East County Road 7260 in Lubbock, Texas. Upon arrival at the scene, law enforcement located 53-year-old Alfredo Franco Garza suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds. Emergency personnel transported Garza to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The investigation began after the property owner,
54-year-old Leslie Harston, contacted 911 around 2:40 p.m. to report that he had shot an unknown individual on his land. According to arrest affidavits, Harston told detectives that he exited his home with a firearm in his pocket and encountered Garza. Harston claimed that Garza "chased" him around the property twice. However, Harston admitted to investigators that Garza was unarmed and had not threatened him with any physical violence during the encounter, though he alleged Garza used a "rude word" toward him.
Harston reportedly fired multiple rounds, striking Garza. Following the shooting, investigators say Harston broke Garza’s mobile phone "out of frustration" and then dragged Garza’s body to a different location on the property. Deputies at the scene discovered a bullet hole in Garza's pickup truck and observed drag marks on the ground consistent with the movement of the body. Harston’s brother, who was also at the residence, told authorities he awoke to the sound of arguing followed by gunshots before Harston announced there was a body outside.
Leslie Harston was arrested and booked into the Lubbock County Detention Center on charges of murder, with his bond set at $250,000. Arrest documents state that Harston "intentionally or knowingly" caused the death of the victim. Harston was treated for minor injuries before being taken into custody, while the investigation into the specific motive and circumstances of the dispute continued.
