On November 28, 2023, at approximately 4:24 p.m., Odessa Police Department officers responded to a reported shooting in the 4300 block of Clover Avenue in Odessa, Texas. Upon arrival, they discovered 38-year-old John Michael "Mikey" Adauto in the front yard with a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Medical personnel pronounced him dead at the scene.
Inside the residence, officers encountered 57-year-old Carlos Ruben Cruz, who was armed with a firearm.
Cruz complied with police commands to disarm and was taken into custody without incident. Subsequent investigations revealed that Cruz was Adauto's uncle. The confrontation reportedly stemmed from a dispute over missing drugs. A witness, identified as Adauto's sister-in-law, stated that Cruz accused Adauto of concealing his drugs. After searching Adauto's pockets and uttering an expletive, Cruz allegedly shot him in the face.
The firearm used in the shooting was later determined to have been reported stolen from Monahans, Texas. Cruz was subsequently charged with murder, a first-degree felony, and theft of a firearm, a state jail felony. He was booked into the Ector County Law Enforcement Center, with bonds totaling $1,006,000.
John Michael Adauto, born on November 18, 1985, in Fort Stockton, Texas, was remembered as a talented artist with a passion for painting, drawing, and tattooing. He also worked in the oilfield industry to support his family. Known for his vibrant personality and willingness to help others, Adauto's untimely death has left a significant void in the lives of his family and friends.
