Jose Melendez Hernandez, 48, was shot in the face while sleeping in the early hours of April 2, 2019, in the 2100 block of Stoner Road in Odessa, Texas. He was taken to Medical Center Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The woman identified in reports as his girlfriend at the time, Courtney Chelle Rice, admitted to shooting Hernandez and then calling 911.

Rice was indicted on a first-degree murder charge in August 2019. The case drew significant attention in Odessa as the legal process moved forward. The trial details and outcome are part of the record in the county courts.

If anyone knew Jose, lived near Stoner Road, or has information about the events that night, please share what you remember with local investigators.