On the evening of January 11, 2026, in the West Texas city of Slaton, the life of 23-year-old Araceli Valdez was tragically cut short in a violent outburst rooted in a domestic dispute. The incident, which unfolded at a residence on East Floyd Street, left two others dead, including the gunman, and two critically injured.
The perpetrator was identified as 27-year-old George Cantu.
Authorities reported that Cantu, armed with a handgun, went to the home upset over ongoing issues with his former common-law wife, 24-year-old Jasmine Rivas. In a devastating escalation of the conflict, Cantu opened fire, intentionally wounding Rivas and 20-year-old Isaiah Chapa.
Amid the chaos, Cantu then fatally shot his own cousins, Araceli Valdez and 18-year-old Marisol Ramirez, before turning the weapon on himself. Cantu was pronounced deceased at the scene in what investigators have termed a double capital murder-suicide. Alcohol is believed to have been a contributing factor in the shooting. Rivas and Chapa were transported to University Medical Center with critical injuries. The Metro Crimes Unit has taken over the ongoing investigation into the deadly shooting.
Araceli "Chaily" Rebecca Valdez, born on June 21, 2002, in Lubbock, was a graduate of Slaton High School's class of 2020. Joint funeral services were held for her and Marisol Ramirez at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Slaton, followed by interment at Englewood Cemetery.
