POLICE Department

Update: Two Suspects Arrested, Two Others Sought in 2020 Fatal Shooting at 9450 Woodfair Drive

April 21, 2021 - Charges have been fled against two suspects arrested and two other suspects wanted in the fatal shooting of a man that occurred at 9450 Woodfair Drive about 12:15 a.m. on August 26, 2020.  

One suspect, Melvin Sanchez (H/m, 18), is charged with capital murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the 184th State District Court.  A second suspect, Marvin Lazo (H/m, 17), is charged with capital murder in the 351st State District Court.  Booking photos of both suspects are attached to this news release.  

Two additional suspects, Mauricio Alfaro Hernandez (H/m, 28) and Edwin Jose Membreno Gibbons (H/m, 20), are charged with capital murder in the 180th and 351st State District Courts, respectively.  Photos of Hernandez and Gibbons are attached to this news release.  
 
The suspects are accused in the death of Jesther Avila-Matute, 17. 

HPD Homicide Division Detectives T. Andrade and M. Perez reported:

Officers responded to a report of a shooting at the above address and found Mr. Avila-Matute lying in an apartment complex walkway.  He had suffered a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene by Houston Fire Department paramedics.  At the time, there was no known suspect(s) or motive.  

Further investigation identified Sanchez, Lazo, Alfaro and Gibbons as suspects in this case.  Sanchez was taken into custody on February 1 and charged for his role in the incident.  Lazo was arrested on March 26 and was subsequently charged for his involvement.  Alfaro and Gibbons remain at large. 

Anyone with information in this case or on the whereabouts of Hernandez and/or Gibbons is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

Mauricio Alfaro Hernandez
Mauricio Alfaro Hernandez (at large)

Edwin Jose Membreno Gibbons
Edwin Jose Membreno Gibbons (at large)

Edwin Jose Membreno Gibbons
Edwin Jose Membreno Gibbons (at large)

Melvin Sanchez
Melvin Sanchez (in custody)

Marvin Lazo
Marvin Lazo (in custody)

Update: VHS/JFC 4-21-21
JKS/KJS 8-26-20
Inc. #112701820

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