Austin Monroe Cruz was 17 and from Lubbock, Texas. He died on January 13, 2022, after being struck by a gunshot while visiting a friend, 17-year-old Jaden Montelongo, at the friend’s home. Cruz was found with a gunshot wound and later pronounced dead at University Medical Center.

Montelongo was charged with criminally negligent homicide. He initially said the shooting was accidental, claiming the gun was under the mattress and discharged when he got on the bed, but investigators found no evidence to support that explanation. Montelongo surrendered to the Lubbock County Detention Center and was held on $50,000 bond. The Metropolitan Special Crimes Unit led the investigation.

Cruz was remembered by family and friends as having a gypsy soul, a contagious smile, and a huge heart. The case drew significant attention in Lubbock and underscored concerns about firearm safety. Does anyone have information about Cruz or this incident that could help clarify what happened?