April 15, 2024 - Charges have been filed against four suspects arrested in the fatal shooting of a man at 8524 Gulf Freeway (South Interstate Highway 45) about 12:50 a.m. on March 20.

The juvenile male suspects, ages 14, 14, 16, and 16, have been referred to Harris County Juvenile Probation authorities on charges of capital murder. Juvenile information and booking photos are not releasable.

They are accused in the death of Steven Mendoza De Luna, 42.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeants M. Watson and M. Burrow and Detective J. Escobar reported:

Officers responded to a report of a shooting at a gas station at the above address and found the victim (later identified as Mr. Mendoza De Luna) inside the store. Responding Houston Fire Department paramedics pronounced him deceased at the scene.

A preliminary investigation determined the victim was the clerk on duty in the store when three suspects, all believed to be in their late teens to early twenties, entered the store and attempted a robbery. During the course of the robbery one of the suspects shot the victim.

Further investigation identified the juveniles as the suspects in this incident.

HPD Southeast Division Crime Suppression Team arrested the two 14-year-old suspects on March 28.

HPD Southeast Division officers arrested a 16-year-old suspect on April 6.

The Southeast Division Crime Suppression Team arrested the fourth suspect today (April 15).