On July 17, 2016, 22-year-old Kevin Villegas Melendez and 25-year-old Raymond Gonzalez-Ortiz were found shot to death in Saint Joseph, Missouri, in what law enforcement described as an execution-style ambush. Investigators recovered about 50 shell casings near the victims’ van, and there was no indication either man had a weapon or tried to defend themselves. Neighbors reported being forced to take cover as the gunfire rang out.

Authorities treated the killings as gang-related and linked the double homicide to a turf dispute. Five people were arrested in connection with the case. Luis Omar Robles-Vargas was initially charged with two counts of first-degree murder; he later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Kevin Villegas Melendez and received a 16-year prison sentence. Raymond Jimenez-Becebi also pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Three other defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder.

If anyone knew Kevin, his movements that day, or has information that could add to the record, please share what can help the investigation’s legacy.