Joe Ybarra Jr., 27, was fatally shot in Lubbock, Texas in the early hours of July 5, 2026. Lubbock Police were dispatched to the 700 block of North Ithaca Avenue at about 12:36 a.m. and found Ybarra with multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to University Medical Center and pronounced dead. The Lubbock Metropolitan Special Crimes Unit took over the investigation.

Investigators developed a suspect: 18-year-old Keymarion Burton. A murder warrant was issued, and on July 8 Burton was arrested without incident by members of the Lubbock Texas Anti-Gang Center at a business in the 7700 block of 66th Street. He was booked into the Lubbock County Detention Center on $250,000 bond. Police say Burton initially told them he had gone to meet Ybarra to buy THC vapes and claimed Ybarra fired first; Burton later said he might have fired the first shot and that the weapon was stolen. The investigation is ongoing.

If anyone saw activity in the 700 block of North Ithaca Avenue the night of July 5, or has information about this shooting, contact investigators handling the case.