Joshua David Sanchez, a 27-year-old Hispanic man, was shot and killed on October 9, 2017, in Edinburg, Texas following a road rage confrontation outside the Hidalgo County Courthouse. The shooter was identified as 33-year-old Fabian Paredes; Paredes told investigators he believed Sanchez was reaching for a weapon, but Sanchez was unarmed.

The case went to trial and a jury convicted Paredes of murder in late October 2018. Evidence at trial included testimony that Paredes and his wife traveled to South Padre Island after the shooting and attempted to erase dash cam footage. In sentencing on February 12, 2020, State District Judge Fernando Mancias found the killing amounted to sudden passion, reduced the offense to second-degree murder and imposed a 20-year prison term, with Paredes required to serve at least two years before parole eligibility. Before sentencing Paredes apologized and Sanchez’s aunt, Ana Cedillo, expressed forgiveness.

Why did the encounter escalate to lethal violence outside a courthouse, and does anyone have additional information about the moments leading up to the shooting?