Man shot dead at party in northwest Harris County

HOUSTON – The Harris County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a man was found shot to death on a residential street in northwest Harris County.

Deputies discovered the body at around 3:30 a.m. Sunday on Moonglow Drive, near Highway 249.

Family members identified the victim as 24-year-old Juan Manuel De La Vega. 

They say he was attending his nephew’s birthday party.  Early Sunday morning, he heard what sounded like someone side-swiping his pick-up truck, which was parked out front.

Investigators say that when De La Vega went outside, he confronted the driver of the car by grabbing him.

Authorities say family members went to pull the two apart when the driver pulled out a gun and shot De La Vega in the upper torso. His body was found a couple houses down from where the party was being held.

Deputies also say they received a call from the alleged shooter, who admitted to shooting De La Vega because he said that De La Vega was trying to attack him and his friend.

David Macedo, who lives across the street, called 911 after hearing the commotion outside.  “At around 3:20 in the morning I heard the gunshots, and then probably like 30 seconds after, I heard people screaming,” Macedo said.

On June 22, 2017, a grand jury failed to indict Jossue Munoz, who was originally charged with murder in the case. Munoz was released from custody.