Gilbert Morado, an 83-year-old man known to loved ones as "Beto," was a skilled craftsman and a devoted family man. Born in Robstown, Texas, on January 3, 1940, he was the fourth of eight children. Despite having only a third-grade education, he was a hardworking and successful entrepreneur, opening Gilbert's Tire Service in 1988 and running it until 2002. He was remembered as a kind, forgiving, and strong man who loved to tell stories, play his guitar, and laugh.
He and his wife, Margarita, had two children and several grandchildren.
On the afternoon of June 14, 2023, Gilbert was at his home in Lubbock, Texas, on the 5400 block of 39th Drive. He was sitting in his recliner, watching television with his wife, when she suddenly heard a loud bang and her husband's groan. Emergency services were called to the home just before 5 p.m. for a report of a possible dead body. First responders found Gilbert with a gunshot wound to his back. He was transported with serious injuries to University Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
Lubbock police investigators began processing the scene, where they found a gun and a shell casing. They interviewed Gilbert's wife and his 28-year-old grandson, Isaac Morado, who were both in the house at the time of the shooting. While collecting evidence, detectives noticed what appeared to be soot on Isaac’s arm and took him to the Lubbock METRO offices for a formal interview.
During questioning, Isaac Morado confessed to the shooting. He admitted that he had intentionally shot his grandfather, whom he referred to as "PePaw." He told investigators that he retrieved a firearm, fired a single shot into his grandfather’s back, and then placed the weapon on a basket on a dresser in the home.
Following his confession, Isaac Morado was arrested and charged with murder. He was booked into the Lubbock County Detention Center on a $500,000 bond. In July 2023, a grand jury indicted him on the murder charge. As of that month, he remained in custody awaiting trial.
