March 22, 2023 - Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in the fatal shooting of a man at 10200 Telephone Road about 2:25 a.m. on August 21, 2022.

The suspect, Cesar Hernandez, 36, is charged with murder in the 177th State District Court. A booking photo of Hernandez is attached to this news release.

He is accused in the death of Jose Carlos Zapata, 42.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant W. Dunn and Detective M. Hughey reported:

HPD patrol officers responded to a shooting call at the above address and found Mr. Zapata suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Officers learned he was crossing the street with a family member when the suspect ran up behind them and fired multiple shots, striking the victim. The family member was not injured. The suspect fled the scene on foot.

Houston Fire Department paramedics transported Zapata to a local hospital, where doctors pronounced him deceased on September 13, 2022

Further investigation identified Hernandez as the suspect in this case. HPD Southeast Crime Suppression Team and patrol officers arrested Hernandez on Tuesday (March 21) without incident and he was subsequently charged.


Cesar Hernandez



SOA/VHS  3-22-23
Inc. #112023622