Steven Mendoza, 42, known as Fluffy, was shot and killed while working the overnight shift at a Chevron near Hobby Airport in Houston on March 20, 2024. The shooting happened around 12:50 a.m. at Gulf Freeway and Monroe Road after three armed suspects entered the store in an apparent attempted robbery. Security cameras from nearby businesses recorded the suspects arriving in a silver Hyundai at 12:42 a.m., one person leaving the vehicle to enter the store, and the group fleeing within about five minutes.

Mendoza was working behind the counter and, according to his sister Jessica Millan, investigators found he had a gun in his hand, indicating he may have tried to defend himself. The Houston Police Department identified and arrested four teenage suspects in the weeks that followed: two 14-year-olds about a week after the killing, a 16-year-old on April 6, and another 16-year-old on April 15. All four juveniles are charged with capital murder and referred to the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department; their identities and booking photos have not been released because of their ages.

Mendoza is survived by his wife and three children, the youngest six years old. The family has asked for the community’s help with any additional information about the case — does anyone have relevant details to share?