Shooting victim remains critical; motive unclear

McALLEN - The victim of a weekend shooting remains in critical condition this morning, and police are still unsure what prompted the attack.

Officers found the 28-year-old Edinburg man lying in a pool of blood just after 5 a.m. Saturday in an apartment on the 3900 block of North 9th Street Court. Witnesses quickly led them to a suspect.

But as of early Monday morning, 60-year-old George Briseño Amador has said little, McAllen police Chief Victor Rodriguez said.

"So far, he has not made a statement," he said.

Amador, who lives in the same apartment complex where the shooting occurred, had been the victim of repeated harassment over the past few months, property owner Connie Fielder-Norton said.

He was arraigned Sunday on charges of aggravated assault and could face further charges if the victim's condition deteriorates, Rodriguez said. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison and $10,000 in fines.

The shooting victim, whose name has not yet been released, is expected to receive further treatment at McAllen Medical Center on Monday for a bullet wound to the chest.

Jeremy Roebuck covers courts and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4437.