Authorities said an argument outside a cantina ended with one man dead, another wounded and a suspect jailed.
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — A 19-year-old man has been charged with murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after a shooting outside a north Harris County business killed an 18-year-old and injured his 20-year-old relative, authorities said.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office identified the man who died as Jonathan Mata. Deputies said the second victim was expected to recover from his injuries. Officials had not publicly identified the surviving victim as of Monday.
The shooting was reported about 1:30 a.m. Sunday near the North Freeway and West Airtex Boulevard. Deputies said the violence followed an argument between two groups in a parking lot outside Mexcal Cantina Pacifico.
Investigators allege that a person involved in the dispute went to a vehicle, retrieved a firearm and began shooting. Mata and his relative were struck, according to the sheriff’s office.
Both victims were taken to a hospital. Mata was pronounced dead after arriving there, authorities said. The sheriff’s office described the second victim’s injuries as survivable but did not release further information about his condition.
Authorities identified the accused man as Juan Lopez. The sheriff’s office said Lopez left the area in a black Chevrolet Camaro after the shooting.
A person who had been with Mata followed the fleeing vehicle while speaking with a 911 dispatcher, deputies said. Information provided during that call helped officers track the Camaro to Houston’s south side.
Houston police officers found Lopez at a location in that area and took him into custody, according to the sheriff’s office. Harris County investigators later announced the murder and aggravated assault charges.
The charges are allegations, and Lopez is presumed innocent unless proved guilty in court. The sheriff’s office said he was booked into the Harris County Jail. Authorities had not released a suspected motive beyond the reported parking lot argument or announced additional arrests.
Author note: Last updated July 20, 2026.