Julio Cesar Cardenas, a 43-year-old Hispanic man, was shot and killed on October 11, 2020, in Conroe, Texas, after an argument at Micheladas El Patio. The dispute began inside the bar when 32-year-old Moisés López Vaglienty reportedly attempted to flirt with a woman who was part of Cardenas’ group; it continued in the parking lot after closing, where López Vaglienty pulled out a pistol and shot Cardenas in front of several witnesses. Cardenas was declared dead at the scene by the Conroe Police Department.

Detectives identified López Vaglienty’s vehicle, located him at his home on Silverdale Drive, and arrested him at about 3:00 AM on October 11, 2020; he was charged with murder and held in the Montgomery County Jail awaiting his first court hearing. The shooting came two days after another fatal fight at the same bar, in which Jorge Galeas Jr. was allegedly stabbed to death; both cases raised concerns about safety at Micheladas El Patio.

Cardenas is survived by two sons, Anthony Cardenas and Marc Ortiz, and a daughter, Kiara Cardenas, and was known for his masonry business, JC Masonry, and his love of the outdoors, cars, and family. If anyone witnessed the incident or has information about events that night, please come forward to the Conroe Police Department.