An 18-year-old Houston man, Joe Anthony Mendoza, was killed during a mass shooting at a family celebration in the Mayfair neighborhood shortly after midnight on May 4, 2025. The gathering on Cherryhill Road reportedly drew more than 100 attendees. Police say violence began when an uninvited guest was asked to leave; as that person departed an individual opened fire into the crowd and some partygoers returned fire. Mendoza was struck in the torso and died at the scene.

Fifteen others, aged 16 to 40, were wounded; several were in critical condition and emergency crews set up a triage area in a nearby fast-food parking lot. Mendoza had recently completed a welding training program and was the second-oldest of seven brothers; family and friends described him as supportive and cheerful. A GoFundMe for funeral expenses had raised over $12,000 by May 8, 2025. As of May 16, 2025, no arrests had been announced and investigators had questioned multiple people but named no suspects.

If anyone attended the party or has information about who opened fire, please share what is known with investigators.