A young man in Texas, aged 22, has admitted to the murder of his uncle, a police dispatcher for the Independent School District. The man, Antonio Guzman, was raised by his uncle and aunt as their own child. However, Guzman claimed he felt “unloved and unwelcome” by his uncle, which led to the fatal incident, as per the prosecutors’ statement.
Guzman, who is the nephew of the victim’s wife, is alleged to have shot his uncle, Jose Torres, 37, multiple times in the face at Torres’ residence in the Spring Branch neighborhood of northwest Houston. The incident occurred on a Friday when the two were alone in the house, according to the Harris County prosecutors.
Court documents from the 497th Judicial District Court in Texas reveal that Guzman confessed to the murder after being apprehended by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday. He reportedly felt mistreated by his uncle, which led to the tragic event.
Prosecutors allege that Guzman shot Torres multiple times in the face and upper body, leaving him to die. The victim’s wife, unaware of the incident, grew concerned after not hearing from Torres all day. She asked Torres’ mother to pick her and their children up from work and school. Upon their return, they discovered Torres’ lifeless body.
Guzman’s aunt reportedly informed the police that Guzman owned a gun, had anger management issues, and walked with a noticeable limp due to a foot condition. This limp was allegedly captured on surveillance footage as Guzman fled the crime scene.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputies managed to locate Guzman through his getaway vehicle. He was arrested and charged with murder on Sunday. A judge set his bail at $200,000 on Monday and ordered him to have no contact with his family if released.
Torres, who worked for the Spring Branch Independent School District Police Department, was remembered by his colleagues in a Facebook post. The department stated that Torres left behind a wife and two daughters, and his life was cut short by a senseless act of violence.
Neighbors reported seeing Torres trimming trees outside his home before the incident. Guzman, who has no prior criminal record, waived his first appearance in probable cause court over the weekend. He is expected to appear in court again on Tuesday.