On the morning of May 29, 2023, Javier Argueta, 30, was shot and killed in a hallway at the Motel 6 on Baltimore National Pike in Catonsville, Maryland. Argueta, his brother, and a friend were walking to check on family members when an altercation with another individual escalated and shots were fired. Paramedics pronounced Argueta dead at the scene; his brother and their friend suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to hospital.

Surveillance footage reportedly captured a suspect drawing a black and silver handgun and firing several rounds. Officers soon located 18-year-old Jose Diaz-Contrenas in the motel parking lot; charging documents say he admitted to arguing with the victims and to shooting them, saying he could not stop. Diaz-Contrenas was charged with first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder and was held without bond. Investigators described the shooting as an isolated incident.

Javier had been traveling with family for a Memorial Day gathering and had recently buried his four-month-old daughter, Alena. If anyone has information about that night or the events leading up to it, please share what you know with investigators.