HOUSTON — Houston Police are pouring over surveillance video, trying to identify two men who murdered a father in broad daylight.
It happened Monday on TC Jester Boulevard in the northwest part of the city.
Magdeleno Reyes Escobar was a married dad of two daughters.
“It’s very tough,” said his 20-year-old daughter, Katherine Reyes.
Reyes said she’s trying to stay strong for her mom and younger sister.
“He’s a loving dad. He was the sweetest guy. He would always mess around with me and my sister. He would always laugh,” she said.
Relatives gathered at Escobar’s northwest Houston home said they want the killer and his accomplice to be brought to justice.
“The disregard for life to us is absolutely appalling,” said Arlette Escobar, the victim’s niece who drove from Austin to be with other grieving family members. “The people who did this to them are out there, and we’re pleading with the public to come forward whether it’s anonymously or identifying themselves, and say, ‘Hey, we know who did this."
Houston police said around 9:30 a.m. Monday, two men drove up to Escobar while he was working on his car on the 7200 block of TC Jester Boulevard.
After a seconds-long interaction, one of the suspects shot and killed him.
“The individuals, they basically did this in front of the church and on the same street that an elementary school is located,” said nephew Randy Escobar.
Investigators said church surveillance cameras captured the murder. They think the gunman and his accomplice targeted Escobar to steal his pick-up truck but took off in their own vehicle after seeing a marked HPD mobility unit nearby.
Escobar’s daughter said her dad would have easily given them the car keys if it meant his life was spared.
“If you want the money, you want the car, take them. I don’t care," she said. "Take those things. They’re replaceable. But when you take the life of a person, you have only one life, and you can’t get it back."
Escobar lived in his northwest Houston neighborhood for nearly four decades. Relatives said he had his own painting business and worked hard to support his immediate and extended family.
Police said the suspects are tied to a burglary that happened near downtown Houston just a few hours before the murder. If you have any information about who the men are, please contact Houston Police.