On January 28, 2023, 45-year-old Larry Ortiz Jr. was fatally shot during a home invasion in the Treasure Island community near Freeport, Texas. Ortiz and his family were visiting the area to celebrate a quinceañera. In the early hours, Ortiz's son, Larry Ortiz III, returned to the beach house with a friend, Lucas Hernandez, and two women, later identified as 20-year-olds Alena Nicole Pena Murillo and Anzley Tay Castillo.
Shortly after their arrival, three armed individuals—two men and one woman—forced their way into the home, confronting Ortiz III and Hernandez, demanding money, and assaulting them. The commotion awakened Ortiz Jr., who intervened to protect his son and was subsequently shot multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators swiftly identified the two women who accompanied Ortiz III as Murillo and Castillo. Through surveillance footage and license plate reader data, authorities also identified the intruders as 29-year-old Richard Horn Jr., 23-year-old Guadalupe Navarro, and 21-year-old Keerston Wilkerson. By February 24, 2023, all five suspects were arrested and charged with murder, each held on a $2 million bond. A sixth individual, 23-year-old Marvin Wayne Pollard Jr., was later arrested and charged with murder for his involvement in the crime. Pollard's bond was set at $2.5 million.
The tragic death of Ortiz Jr., described by his family as a kind-hearted and outgoing individual who cherished spending time with his loved ones, especially his grandchildren, has deeply affected the community. An online memorial was established in his honor, where friends and family shared condolences and memories.
This incident underscores the dangers associated with orchestrated criminal activities and the profound impact such violence has on families and communities. The swift apprehension of the suspects involved reflects the dedication of law enforcement agencies in bringing justice to the victims and their families.
