On the night of February 3, 2024, 16-year-old Ely Mendez Gomez was fatally shot near Denia Park in Denton, Texas. Emergency responders arrived at the scene around 11:37 p.m. to find Mendez Gomez unresponsive in his vehicle, which had a visible bullet hole in the window. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Initial witness statements described a suspect dressed in dark clothing with a ski mask. Among the witnesses was 17-year-old Gabrielle Cortes, who was in the vehicle with Mendez Gomez at the time of the shooting. She reported seeing an armed individual approach the car.
As the investigation progressed, detectives identified 19-year-old Marcus Williams of Sanger, Texas, as a person of interest. Evidence, including surveillance footage, indicated that Williams had been following Mendez Gomez's vehicle throughout the night.
Further investigation revealed that Williams and Cortes, who were in a romantic relationship, had conspired to rob Mendez Gomez. On February 28, 2024, Williams was arrested and charged with murder. The following day, Cortes surrendered to authorities and was charged with capital murder. Williams' charges were subsequently upgraded to capital murder.
Both suspects were detained, with Williams held on a $500,000 bond and Cortes on a $250,000 bond. The tragic incident highlighted the dangers of violent crime among youth in the community. Mendez Gomez's family and friends mourned his untimely death, remembering him as a young individual with aspirations and a promising future.
