Jaime Leonel Hernandez, 39, was shot dead on June 11, 2023, during an altercation with a neighbor on Kirkglen Drive in southeast Houston. Family members say the dispute began when Hernandez went into the neighbor’s backyard to retrieve his dog and that the neighbor, 79-year-old former Harris County Precinct 2 deputy Frankie Luke Vernagallo, shot him in the chest. Emergency responders pronounced Hernandez dead at the scene.

The two men reportedly had a contentious relationship stretching nearly two decades; the Hernandez family says Vernagallo frequently harassed them and involved law enforcement. Houston Police Department records show 44 calls for service to the Hernandez residence since 2021, 15 of them in 2023, for matters ranging from noise complaints to reports of suspicious activity.

Vernagallo was arrested the day of the shooting and charged with murder; bond was set at $200,000 with a condition barring him from returning to the Hernandez home if released. His defense attorney has said Vernagallo intends to plead not guilty. The Hernandez family, preparing to celebrate Jaime’s 40th birthday, has expressed fear for their safety and is seeking justice.

Did anyone in the neighborhood witness the confrontation or the events that led up to the shooting?