On December 17, 2023, 67-year-old Filiberto Puente was shot and killed during his grandson’s 18th birthday celebration at the family home on Juliabora Street in Houston’s Meadowbrook neighborhood. The party, originally for family and friends, drew uninvited guests after details were shared on social media. A confrontation between two female attendees escalated; one reportedly called acquaintances who arrived at about 1:10 a.m. and opened fire on the residence.

Puente was standing in the front hallway when he was struck by two bullets and died at the scene. A young girl was also wounded by gunfire, suffering a shot to her foot. Police detained several people found carrying firearms nearby but say the primary suspects — described as two young Hispanic males, possibly juveniles, one possibly related to the female participants — fled and remain at large. No arrests have been announced.

Family members remember Puente as a generous man who emigrated from Mexico and was close with his grandson Michael. The family has launched a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Houston Police Department Homicide Division at (713) 308-3600. Did anyone see or hear anything that night that could help investigators?