Man accused in ambush at SE Houston gas station that killed son of Dominican politician appears in court

Hernando Torres, 19, appears in court on May 16, 2024. (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

HOUSTON – One of three suspects charged in a deadly ambush that left the son of a Dominican politician dead appeared in court Thursday to face a judge.

Hernando Torres, 19, along with Hernan Torres, Sr. 50, and Hernan Torres, Jr. 25, were all charged with murder in connection to the shooting death of Luis Alfredo Pacheco, 34.

Recommended Videos



Luis Pacheco was the son of Dominican Republic Chamber of Deputies President Alfredo Pacheco.

What’s new

Hernando Torres stood before the judge where his attorney argued for a bond reduction but was denied. His bond will remain at $2 million.

The motive for the shooting remains unknown as the investigation is ongoing.

What happened

The shooting happened at about 8:20 p.m. on April 1 at a gas station at 2490 S. Wayside Drive.

According to Houston Police, officers responded to the gas station and found Pacheco and another man who had been struck by gunfire. The two were taken to the hospital where Pacheco succumbed to his injuries.

Police said the two victims along with two other men had come out of the convenience store and got into a black SUV, when a silver Dodge Charger and a silver Mercedes Benz drove up. Two men got out of the Charger and one man got out of the Mercedes and all began firing multiple shots into the black SUV. The suspects then fled the scene.

Surveillance photos of the wanted suspects, described at that time only as adult Hispanic males wearing white, and the vehicles were released to the public on April 2.

The three suspects were identified after further investigation and on May 6, the HPD South Gessner Patrol Division Crime Suppression Team, along with agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Marshals arrested Hernan Torres, Jr. and Hernando Torres without incident.

The third suspect, Hernan Torres, Sr. is in custody in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on unrelated charges and is awaiting extradition back to Harris County.

Hernan Torres, Jr. and Hernando Torres have both had their bonds set at $2 million.


About the Author

Award-winning journalist, mother, YouTuber, social media guru, millennial, mentor, storyteller, University of Houston alumna and Houston-native.

Recommended Videos