Police: Weslaco teen died in mother's arms; murder suspect charged

WESLACO -- The Castro family's gray Dodge Ram pickup truck was stolen Friday from a Stripes convenience store.

But the next day, there it was behind the gas pumps at a Murphy USA, just outside the Wal-Mart at 1310 N. Texas Blvd.

So the Weslaco family pulled up from behind and Elissa Castro called the police.

Meanwhile, her husband, Robert Sr. and son, Robert Jr., hopped out to investigate.

But as they moved toward the Dodge, the driver threw it into reverse and a single gunshot rang out from the passenger side window.

Robert Jr. fell to the pavement.

Elissa ran up to her son. He had been hit.

Blood stained the 14-year-old's shirt and the area around a small hole where the bullet pierced his chest. By the time police arrived a few minutes later, he had stopped breathing and was no longer responsive.

A doctor pronounced him dead at Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco less than an hour afterward.

Tuesday, three days after their 14-year-old son was taken from them forever, the Castros saw the first man suspected of his slaying stand in Weslaco Municipal Court.

Clad in a bulletproof vest and ankle chains, Victor Hugo Olivares, 18, was formally charged with one count of capital murder and felony theft.

Judge Melinda Garza Farias set his bond at $1.01 million.

Store surveillance video reviewed by investigators showed that Elissa Castro had left her keys inside the Dodge pickup when it was stolen Friday, according to the criminal complaint against Olivares. The video then shows Olivares stepping inside and driving off with the truck.

Police also received a tip identifying Olivares as the truck's thief.

Investigators showed a photo lineup to the Stripes clerk who was working when the truck disappeared. The store employee positively identified Olivares, according to the criminal complaint.

Investigators found their Weslaco-born suspect at a relative's house.

Police took him into custody Sunday, and the rural Weslaco resident told investigators he had stolen the Dodge and was inside the vehicle when Robert Jr. was killed. He led police to where the truck was abandoned near the intersection of Mile 5 North and Mile 4 West roads.

Police said further arrests may be made in the case.

At Olivares' arraignment Tuesday morning, Elissa Castro and her husband sat with their heads toward the brown tile floor, quietly weeping as Olivares heard his charges. Their other son quietly sat beside them.

As officers led Olivares from the courtroom after the proceedings, Castro Sr. burst from his seat and turned toward the man suspected of killing his son, pleading with him in Spanish about why his son was dead.

"Sit down. It's OK," Elissa Castro said, her arms wrapped around her husband and her head resting on his back. "It's OK."

Castro Sr. buried his head in his wife's lap as he sobbed.

The bereaved mother hopes her son's killers receive justice. But for Castro Sr., that does not mean seeing them executed.

"One life is enough," he said.

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Jared Taylor covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4439.