Julio Cesar Chapa, a 23-year-old Hispanic man from Houston, Texas, was found shot to death inside his Jeep in a ditch on October 21, 2016. Authorities treated his death as the result of a chaotic, botched sting operation that involved a confidential informant and multiple law enforcement units, including the DEA and the Harris County Sheriff’s narcotics division. Reports state the shooting was not intentional but occurred during a confrontation in that operation.

No arrests, murder charges, or significant litigation were filed in connection with the shooting, and the investigation concluded without naming a specific suspect or bringing anyone to justice. Chapa is survived by his parents, siblings, and two sons; his funeral was held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and he was buried at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.

If anyone has information about the operation or the events that led to Chapa’s death, please share what is known.