On February 2, 2007, 29-year-old Tomas Beniquez was killed during a burglary in Houston, Texas. The break-in was described as planned; two accomplices entered the home intending to steal and possibly intimidate those inside. Tomas Hernandez, who was armed with a loaded .357-caliber revolver, fired a shot during an altercation that struck and killed Beniquez. Hernandez later said the gun discharged accidentally when he was bumped, but the jury rejected that claim.

Prosecutors argued the use of a deadly weapon and other circumstantial evidence supported an inference of intent to kill. Hernandez fled the scene and gave inconsistent statements to police, details the prosecution pointed to in arguing guilt. A jury convicted Hernandez of capital murder and he was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. Any readers with information about Tomas Beniquez or the events of that night are asked to come forward.