Samuel Jose Mata, 23, was fatally shot on April 10, 2023 while driving his pickup on the East Sam Houston Parkway. Deputies say Mata’s truck was seen veering erratically before it struck a concrete barrier around 8 a.m.; when officers approached, passenger Jose Paredes, 22, was armed with a pistol. Authorities found Mata with a fatal gunshot wound to the head and Paredes surrendered.

Investigators reported Mata and Paredes had spent the previous night together at a bar and a house party, and that Paredes allegedly fired two shots at Mata while he was driving. Paredes told authorities he had no recollection of the events and was charged with murder; his bond was initially set at $250,000 and later increased to $500,000, with ICE detaining him after his first release. Mata’s family described him as kind-hearted, generous and deeply loved, and said they were shocked given the men’s longtime friendship.

Does anyone have information about the hours before the shooting or the relationship between Mata and Paredes?