HOUSTON – A man suspected in the fatal shooting of three men in March outside a southwest Houston nightclub is being sought by authorities, according to the Houston Police Department.
The suspect, identified as Jordy Barrios, 23, has been charged with capital murder.
The victims were identified as Jorge Vazquez, 30, Gerardo Filomeno, 30 and Cesar Villalon, 39.
Police released surveillance video on March 22 of the wanted man and a woman, who was initially wanted for questioning, in connection to the deadly shooting. It was later determined that the woman was a witness and is not expected to be charged at this time, police said.
What happened
On March 19, HPD Patrol officers were dispatched to the 10800 block of Beechnut where they found three men, covered in blood, laying outside a night club. All three men had sustained gunshot wounds. They were pronounced deceased on scene by Houston Fire Department personnel.
Fifteen spent cartridge casings were found near their bodies. Officers did not find any weapons on or near the victims while processing the scene.
Autopsies performed by pathologists from the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences confirmed all three men died as a result of multiple gunshots wounds. Their deaths were classified as homicides.
Surveillance video from businesses near the night club captured the following, per documents:
At approximately 5:19 a.m., a Hispanic male wearing a white jacket and blue jeans, later identified as Barrios, walks toward the night club with a woman. Vazquez, Filomeno and Villalon are seen crossing paths with the pair. The group engages in a conversation which lasts several minutes. After, Barrios and the women resume walking toward the night club. Second later, the pair re-direct and walk back toward Vazquez, Filomeno, and Villalon. At some point during the conversation, an argument and a physical altercation begins. Several vehicles blocked the view of the shooting. Villalon and the woman were seen fleeing the scene.
After releasing surveillance footage of the incident to the public, investigators released an anonymous tip, which helped them locate the woman.
She told officers she and Barrios were walking through the parking lot to enter the club when they crossed paths with Vazquez, Filomeno, and Villalon. The group engaged in conversation and, at some point, one of the men began to “disrespect” Barrios.
According to documents, one of the men struck Barrios in the face, while the other two advanced toward him. Seconds later, the woman heard gunfire, which she believe came from Barrios. The pair fled the scene in Barrios’ Acura.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Barrios is asked to call the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or speak anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.
Family of victim speaks out
At the scene of her husband’s murder, Ashley Montalbo got on her knees and prayed for answers.
“His life ended at 29. That’s it. He didn’t even get to reach 30,” Montalbo said.
Six months later, Montalbo said there is a glimmer of hope knowing a suspect is named and charged with capital murder.
“For sure. But its not gonna be settled until he’s caught,” she said.
Montalbo said her husband, Gerardo Filomeno, a father of two, and his two friends, Vazquez and Villalon, had just left the Huetamo Nite Club just before 5:30 a.m.
“I called him at four o’clock in the morning and that was the last time I talked to him,” she said.
After the shooting, Montalbo said she got in her car and began searching for Filomeno.
“I looked over to my right and I saw his boots and that’s when I knew it was him,” she said.
Records show Barrios was currently wanted out of Brazoria County for evading arrest in a motor vehicle. Police said two weeks after the murders, Barrios exchanged his Acura for a Tahoe at a car dealership.
Not long after that, a Trooper tried to pull Barrios over for a traffic violation in his Tahoe, but Barrios wouldn’t stop, according to documents.
As of right now, its unclear where Barrios could be.
“He can run, he can hide, but God is watching him,” Montalbo said.
She said she’s hopeful her prayers will be answered.
The family of Vazquez and Villalon sent KPRC 2 statements saying in part:
“I just want justice for my uncle Cesar. I have so many questions that the detectives never gave us answers to. We just want answers to our questions and hopefully they get him soon. I’ll always remember him as a fun and silly person to be around with. And he’ll always make us smile if we were upset,” Yulisa Guerrero said.
“Jorge was one of the kindest, most humble and affectionate people I know. He always helped anyone who needed him, he was that one person I could always count on. Anyone who knew him also knew about our daughter Katelyn, who is still in denial with everything that has happened. He was the best father and he made sure our daughter was always good. We just want justice so that we can have some peace knowing this man won’t do the same thing to other families. It’s been almost six months and we are finally able to put a face to the man that this, if anyone knows anything we urge you contact local authorities,” Doraneli said.
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