Devon Nelson, a 17-year-old male from Midland, Texas, was killed on March 28, 2026, after gunfire broke out at Reyes-Mashburn-Nelms Park in the 2100 block of East Cuthbert Avenue. What began as an evening at a public park turned into a violent scene as Midland police responded to reports of shots fired and arrived to find chaos around the parking lot. Multiple vehicles were leaving the area, and investigators later found blood as well as spent shell casings from both a pistol and a rifle.
Nelson was taken to Midland Memorial Hospital, where he died from his injuries.
In the days after his death, Nelson’s family described him as someone with energy, heart, and fierce loyalty. His aunt, Amber Collins, wrote in a funeral fundraiser that Devon had been “tragically taken” from them and said he was a true athlete who stood up for the people he loved. The loss hit his family suddenly and painfully, leaving them trying to plan a funeral while also facing the shock of his killing.
Investigators said witness accounts and court documents pointed to a confrontation involving several armed young men near a vehicle. Witnesses described firearms that included a Draco-style weapon and a pistol with an extended magazine. According to the investigation, an argument began after Nelson approached the group, then escalated into a physical confrontation before shots were fired. Police also reported that surveillance video showed Juan Reyes Jr. and Alejandro Lopez Jr. at the scene, taking shooting stances and firing toward Nelson before the suspects left together.
Police later identified three suspects in the killing: 19-year-old Juan Reyes Jr., 18-year-old Alejandro Lopez, and a 15-year-old juvenile whose name was not released because of age. The adults were charged with first-degree murder and held at the Midland County Detention Center on $500,000 bonds, while the juvenile was also identified in connection with the case. Investigators said the case was built through witness statements, admissions, surveillance video, social media information, and physical evidence, including clothing and items that matched descriptions given by witnesses. As of the latest available reporting, the case remained in the criminal process following the arrests and murder charges.
