Suspected Lopezville killer arraigned

EDINBURG - A gang member accused of stabbing and killing a man after slashing his tires was formally charged with murder Monday.

Gabriel Sepulveda Jr., 18, was charged with first-degree murder and issued a $1 million bond. He could face life in prison.

Sepulveda initially refused to sign documents indicating authorities had read him his rights, but he ultimately did so after receiving an explanation from Justice of the Peace Rosa Treviño.

Sheriff Lupe Treviño said Sepulveda and fellow Texas Chicano Brotherhood members terrorized patrons of the Sheboygan club in Lopezville while searching for members of the rival Loco Treces gang.

Treviño said Sepulveda stabbed and killed Julio Garcia, 48, after Garcia confronted the gang about slashing his tires.

Treviño said Garcia was an innocent bystander and was completely uninvolved in any gang disputes.

Sepulveda was arrested early Saturday morning while asleep at the Rex Motel in Edinburg, after deputies unsuccessfully tried to catch him at his home and grandmother's home.

Treviño said deputies were led to Sepulveda after interviewing gang members, their associates, witnesses of the attack and residents surrounding the club.

He said the gang was looking for trouble that evening.

"They were terrorizing that entire neighborhood," Treviño said.

He said patrons of the bar were so frightened by Sepulveda that they drove home on flat tires.

This isn't the first time gangs have caused trouble at the club.

In April, two members of the Texas Chicano Brotherhood gang were arrested for carjacking a truck from the club's parking lot in December.

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Monitor staff writer Sean Gaffney contributed to this report.

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Ryan Holeywell covers PSJA, the Mid-Valley and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4446.