On March 11, 2024, just before midnight, a tragic shooting occurred on Port Aransas Beach near mile marker 42. Officers from the Port Aransas Police Department and deputies from the Nueces County Constable Precinct 4 were in the process of dispersing a large crowd when they heard approximately ten gunshots. The crowd scattered, and authorities discovered 22-year-old Kristopher Wayne Welder from Ingleside, Texas, with a gunshot wound to the chest. He was promptly transported to a Corpus Christi hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Approximately six minutes after the initial shooting, a 911 call reported additional shots fired near mile marker 27, close to Beach Access Road 1. Officers responded and found a 19-year-old man from Alice, Texas, with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Investigations revealed that this individual had also been shot near mile marker 42 and was moved to the second location by an acquaintance. He underwent surgery at a Corpus Christi hospital and was expected to survive.
Authorities identified the suspect as 26-year-old Francisco Espinoza, believed to have ties to Corpus Christi and Taft. Two arrest warrants were issued: one for the alleged murder of Kristopher Welder, with a bond set at $750,000, and another for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon concerning the 19-year-old victim, with a bond set at $250,000. Espinoza was described as a heavy-set, light-complected Hispanic male and was last seen driving a gray or silver vehicle, possibly a newer model BMW with dark rims.
On March 21, 2024, Espinoza was apprehended without incident at a residence in the 600 block of Deloris Street in Taft, Texas. He was charged with first-degree felony murder for the death of Kristopher Welder and second-degree felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for the shooting of the 19-year-old man. Following his arrest, Espinoza was booked into the San Patricio County Jail.
Investigations suggested that Espinoza and Welder were acquainted, leading authorities to believe that the motive behind the shooting stemmed from a personal vendetta. The incident marked a rare occurrence of violence on Port Aransas Beach, a community typically known for its safety. In response, local law enforcement emphasized the importance of adhering to city laws and maintaining sobriety to ensure public safety during events attracting large crowds.
