Update on Incident at 7298 Kingsgate #95

September 7, 2007 - Houston police homicide investigators have arrested nine suspects in the fatal shootings of two men and the wounding of at least one other at 7298 Kingsgate #95 about 12:25 p.m. on September 2.

The two deceased male victims are identified as Martin Sanchez, 46, and Roberto Mendez Zuniga, 36. The wounded victim, Abel Ardo Sanchez, 49, was transported to Ben Taub General Hospital in critical condition. All three men lived in the apartment and suffered multiple gunshot wounds.

The suspects in custody are identified as Jovany Jampher Paredes (H/m, DOB 4-19-86), Raul Trevino (H/m, DOB 11-20-88), Joe Albert Rivera (H/m, DOB 10-1-89), Roberto Carlos Barcenas (H/m, DOB 11-14-88), Jessica Annai Perez (H/f, DOB 10-24-88), Marina Montalvo (H/f, DOB 4-5-89), Erick Aguilar (H/m, DOB 7-23-87), Vanessa Adriana Barretto (H/f, DOB 5-21-89) and a 16-year-old male. The adult males are charged with capital murder while the females are charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon in the 337th State District Court. The juvenile suspect is being referred to Harris County Juvenile Probation authorities on a charge of capital murder.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeants B. Harris, M. Scott and Officer C. Scales reported:

Tenants of the Kingsgate Apartments reported hearing gunshots coming from unit # 95 and called police. HPD patrol officers responded and found three males shot inside the apartment. Two of the men were dead at the scene and a third man was transported to the hospital. Investigators believe a fourth victim may have also been shot, however, that victim is believed to have fled in an unknown vehicle prior to officers' arrival. Witnesses saw four or five Hispanic male suspects and one Hispanic female enter the apartment with handguns and rifles and then flee the apartment after gunshots were heard. The suspects fled in a white four-door Pontiac with a partial Texas license plate of 291-T.

Homicide investigators developed the suspects as a result of following leads on the above partial license plate of one of the getaway vehicles. All suspects were eventually arrested, starting on Monday and ending with the final arrest about 12:30 p.m. today (Sept. 7).

The suspects stated they went to the location after a night and morning of partying and were angry they did not have any more cocaine. They went to the apartment believing the victims had money and drugs. The suspects were armed with an assault rifle and several other handguns. They entered the apartment and demanded money. When one of the tenants yelled out, the suspects started shooting. Investigators recovered the weapons used in the shooting and some of the property taken. The suspects are all part of a criminal street gang. All but one of them has confessed to his or her role in the murders.

JFC/MES 9-7-07

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.