On September 10, 2024, 55-year-old Angel Hiracheta Aleman Jr. was tragically killed in a shooting at Mackenzie Park in Lubbock, Texas. The incident also claimed the lives of 47-year-old Lydia Hernandez and Aleman's dog, Monster. Lubbock Police Department officers responded to reports of shots fired around 8:18 a.m. in the 300 block of Cesar E. Chavez Drive.
Upon arrival, they found Aleman deceased at the scene, while Hernandez, suffering from serious injuries, was transported to University Medical Center, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
The investigation led to the arrest of Aleman's nephews, 26-year-old Justin Aleman and 23-year-old Joziah Aleman. Both were charged with two counts of murder and one count of cruelty to non-livestock animals. They were already detained at the Lubbock County Detention Center on unrelated charges when the new warrants were served. Each was held on a $400,000 bond.
Surveillance footage from the park showed the victims walking when an SUV approached them. Two individuals exited the vehicle and confronted Aleman and Hernandez, leading to the fatal shooting. An anonymous tip identified Justin Aleman as the shooter. During police interviews, both brothers admitted to being present at the scene, with Joziah indicating that Justin was responsible for the shootings.
The tragic event has deeply affected the Lubbock community, with family members describing the act as "heartless" and expressing hopes for justice. The investigation is ongoing as authorities continue to gather information to understand the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
