A teen has been charged with capital murder after a dad-of-two was allegedly robbed at gunpoint during a Facebook Marketplace deal and shot dead as he chased the suspects.
Anthony Castro, 17, is accused of killing Victor Gonzalez, 34, after the dad arranged to meet someone to sell property advertised online.
Authorities allege Victor was held at gunpoint and robbed before the suspects fled in a vehicle.
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The dad reportedly gave chase while calling 911 and feeding their location to emergency dispatchers.
But during the pursuit, Victor suddenly told the operator he had been shot before falling silent.
He was later pronounced dead, as reported by Need To Know.
The deadly encounter unfolded in the Aldine area of Harris County, Texas, US, on Sunday 13 September.
Investigators said Victor had arranged the meeting through Facebook Marketplace to sell property.
But authorities allege the transaction was instead used to rob him at gunpoint.
Court documents reportedly state that Victor followed the suspects as they fled and called 911.
During the call, he told dispatchers he had been shot before he stopped responding.
Surveillance footage captured the sound of three gunshots during the confrontation, according to court records.
Investigators later spoke to a person who allegedly picked Castro up following the robbery.
That witness told police Castro got out of the vehicle and fired at Victor’s pursuing vehicle, according to court documents.
Castro allegedly later said he had “hit a lick” – slang for carrying out a successful robbery.
He was arrested days later after Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez announced homicide detectives had charged him with capital murder.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office has since released a mugshot of the teenager.
Castro was booked into Harris County Jail and is being prosecuted through the adult criminal justice system.
Under Texas law, 17-year-olds accused of crimes are generally dealt with as adults without first having to be transferred from juvenile court.
However, because Castro was under 18 at the time of the alleged killing, he cannot face the death penalty if convicted.
The case remains pending and the charge against him is an allegation.
Castro has not yet entered a plea, according to reports.
Victor’s devastated wife, Mayra Gonzalez, described her husband as a much-loved family man.
The couple shared two young children.
She said: “Everyone knew him. He had friends everywhere.
“He was a great man.
“Losing the father of my kids has been the worst thing that ever happened in my life.
“They loved him so, so much.”
A fundraiser for Victor’s family described him as a “devoted husband, loving father, cherished son, brother, and friend”.
Organiser Cynthia Alvarez wrote: “Victor was the kind of person who showed up for others without hesitation.
“His laughter, kindness, and generosity touched everyone who knew him.”
Mayra has now urged people using online marketplaces to be cautious when arranging to meet strangers.
She added: “Take what happened to me and my family as a learning lesson for everyone.
“That Facebook Market, I mean, don’t trust people. Be careful.”
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