On October 15, 2023, at approximately 11:10 p.m., Houston police responded to a shooting at a motel located at 3528 Southmore Boulevard in the Third Ward. Upon arrival, officers discovered 26-year-old Marco Antonio Escayola unresponsive on a second-floor balcony. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigations revealed that Escayola had met with 21-year-old Demetrius Marquise Veal at the motel.
During their encounter, a physical altercation ensued, during which Veal fatally shot Escayola. Veal then fled the scene.
On October 26, 2023, authorities arrested Veal, charging him with murder. Additionally, 23-year-old Dajhun Demarcus Barber was arrested and charged with tampering with evidence related to the incident. Both individuals were taken into custody without incident.
Escayola, born on July 17, 1997, in Laredo, Texas, was a resident of Houston at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife, Mariah Marie Chano, and their unborn son, Marco Antonio Escayola Jr., expected to be born on February 3, 2024. His passing has left a profound void in the lives of his family and friends.
Funeral services were held in both South Houston and Laredo, Texas, allowing loved ones from his hometown and current residence to pay their respects. The family gathered on October 26, 2023, at South Houston Funeral Home, followed by services on October 27, 2023, at Hillside Funeral Home in Laredo.
The tragic loss of Marco Antonio Escayola has deeply affected his community, highlighting the devastating impact of gun violence. As the legal proceedings against Veal and Barber continue, family and friends seek justice and mourn the untimely loss of a beloved husband, father, son, and friend.
