HOUSTON – Friends and family have identified the man killed in a weekend shooting at a southeast Houston gentleman’s club as 33-year-old Miguel Angel Padilla Franco, known as “Nawfside Linco.”
The shooting happened around 5 a.m. Saturday at Paradise City. Franco was pronounced dead at the scene. Another person was taken to the hospital.
As of now, no arrests have been announced.
Franco was well known in Houston’s slab culture — a car community centered around “slow, loud and bangin’” vehicles, often customized with lowered frames and powerful sound systems.
His nickname, “Nawfside Linco,” was a nod to his Houston roots and his Lincoln.
Friends say Franco was also part of the “Blue Line,” a group within the slab community made up of blue car enthusiasts connected by their shared style and love of customized vehicles.
On Sunday, family and friends gathered at Divine Shine Car Wash in the Second Ward to remember Franco’s legacy.
David Infante, owner of HTX Garage, said he met Franco through the car scene, but their bond quickly grew deeper.
“He’s my friend, but he’s more like a brother,” Infante said.
nfante said Franco was passionate about bringing people together and was a driving force in the community.
“Every weekend, ‘Hey, where we going? Where are we pulling out?’” Infante said. “He was making sure that he gathered everybody, hit the street, and represented the Blue Line to the fullest.”
Franco’s wife, Monica Castillo, said the public outpouring of support has shown her just how many lives her husband touched.
“He always joked around with me and told me, ‘How did it feel to be with a celebrity?’” Castillo said. “I used to just laugh and now he left me and I realize how much of a celebrity he really was.”
Castillo described her husband as a provider who cared deeply for his family.
“He was an amazing person,” Castillo said. “I was a stay-at-home mom because he said it was my job to stay home and take care of the kids, and it was his job to be the man and take care of us.”
Franco’s 13-year-old son, Elias Padilla, said his father taught him to treat people with kindness and respect.
“My dad, he was one of the nicest and most generous people out there,” Elias said. “Always giving people money, taking care of people, always adding more energy into a party and showing love to everybody.”
Elias said he hopes to make his father proud.
“I want to make my dad proud and carry on his legacy in the cars,” he said.
Other friends in the slab community said Franco was known for his smile, his warmth and the energy he brought wherever he went.
Josiah Tabares said Franco made an immediate impression.
“He was the vibe. He was bringing the energy. Straight energy, had a big smile on his face,” Tabares said.
Que Jones, another friend, said Franco embraced people from all backgrounds and made them feel welcome.
“He wasn’t a rapper, he wasn’t a celebrity,” Jones said. “He was just a real genuine person.”
Low G, an artist who said he has been connected to Houston’s slab culture for decades, said Franco stood out because he made the culture a family affair.
“He had his family really involved in everything he did for the car community and as a family man,” Low G said.
Friends and family say that while the cars may have first drawn attention, it was Franco’s generosity, energy and love for people that left the deepest mark.
Daniel Rivera, a friend based in Austin, said he met Franco through mutual friends while working on their cars and quickly bonded over their shared passion.
“He was always happy, always excited. He just was the life of the party,” Rivera said.
Rivera said Franco had been planning a trip to Austin just hours before his death.
“He was supposed to come down here to Austin, Texas, and we were actually going to ride,” Rivera said. “Saturday morning, we woke up to the bad news of his passing. It’s been drastic for us.”
Rivera said members of the Blue Line community first learned about Franco’s death through a group chat, as messages quickly spread among friends.
“We were all like, no, it can’t be Mike,” said Rivera.
Despite living in different cities, Rivera said Franco made a lasting impact on their group and helped grow the movement.
“He started a movement down there in Houston… hopefully it’ll expand through his legacy,” Rivera said.
Friends describe Franco as a family man who brought energy and positivity everywhere he went.
“Every time we linked up, it was a good time, big smiles, nothing but laughs,” Rivera said.
HPD said witnesses described one to two suspects as Hispanic males in their late teens to early 20’s.
Police are asking anyone who was at the club on the night of the shooting or anyone with information to call Crimestoppers or police.