Two Suspects Arrested And Charged in Man's Death at 5850 Ranchester

February 27, 2008 - Charges have been filed against two suspects arrested in the fatal shooting of a man found at 5850 Ranchester about 12:00 p.m. on Feb. 21.

The suspects, identified as Angel Guzman Valverde (H/m, DOB: 10/20/74) and Yovanni Valverde (H/m, DOB: 8/29/88), are charged with murder in the 208th State District Court.  The father and son are accused in the shooting death of Walter Alfredo Ventura, 20, of Houston.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant B. E. Roberts and Senior Police Officer R. A. Moreno reported:

Officers responded to an unknown DOA call at the business strip parking lot at 5850 Ranchester and found Mr. Ventura dead in the driver’s seat of a Chevrolet vehicle.  Mr. Ventura had been shot multiple times and was pronounced dead at the scene by responding paramedics.  Investigators believed Mr. Ventura had been dead for several hours before being noticed by a citizen passing through the area.

Further investigation identified Yovanni Valverde, a known gang member, and his father, Angel Guzman Valverde, as suspects in this case.  Yovanni Valverde was arrested on Tuesday (Feb. 24) in north Houston without incident.  Angel Guzman Valverde was arrested on Thursday (Feb. 26) in Austin, Texas also without incident. 

The successful and quick apprehension of the suspects in this case involved a team effort which included the Houston office of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Texas Department of Public Safety, United States Marshals Service, and Crime Stoppers of Houston.

JC/JFC
Inc. #026292009

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