Samuel Esteban Navarrete Yanquen, a 16-year-old Hispanic male known for his constant smile and hardworking nature, was born in Bogota, Colombia, on November 12, 2009. Those who knew him recall a cheerful and entrepreneurial teenager who was always hustling, often seen selling snacks and wearing his earbuds at school. He was a student in the Everman school district in Texas and had recently moved to a new program to ensure he would graduate on time.
Friends and community members remember Samuel as the "sweetest boy" and the "BEST big brother," who was very hands-on with younger children and always willing to help. He left a lasting impact on many, who recall his special bond with friends and his love for baseball.
On the evening of October 7, 2026, tragedy struck. Around 6:30 p.m., Fort Worth Police Department officers responded to a shooting call at the Stallion Pointe Apartments, located on the 2600 block of Swale Drive in south Fort Worth. Upon arrival, they found Samuel in the driver's seat of a parked car with a gunshot wound. First responders immediately administered medical aid, but his injuries were too severe, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Fort Worth Police Department's homicide unit is leading the investigation into Samuel's death. Detectives are working to piece together the events that led to the shooting and determine who may have been with him that evening. A police spokesperson stated that figuring out who was present at the time of the incident is a key part of their ongoing investigation. As of October 2026, no suspects have been identified or taken into custody, and authorities have not released any information regarding a possible motive. Investigators are urging anyone with information or surveillance video related to the shooting to come forward.
In the days following the shooting, a growing memorial of flowers and mementos appeared outside the Stallion Pointe Apartments, a testament to a young life cut short. Family and friends gathered for a viewing and funeral service on October 10, 2026, at Nueva Vida Funeral Home in Fort Worth. Samuel will be laid to rest in a cemetery in Cajica, Cundinamarca, Colombia.
The loss has been deeply felt by those who knew him. Tanya White, a hall monitor at Everman High School, remembered Samuel as a boy who was always smiling and laughing. "Long story short, Samuel did not deserve this," she said. "Nobody deserved this, and Samuel definitely did not deserve this." On a memorial page, friends shared memories, with one person writing, "I loved that boy so much and this has me so broken hearted... You deserved so much more than what you got."
The investigation into Samuel's homicide remains active. Fort Worth police ask anyone with information to contact the homicide unit at 817-392-4222 or to provide an anonymous tip to Tarrant County Crime Stoppers at 817-469-8477.
