𝗕𝗢𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗘𝗧 𝗔𝗧 $𝟭𝗠 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗗𝗘𝗙𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗗 𝗜𝗡 𝗙𝗘𝗕𝗥𝗨𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗦𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗦𝗘𝗧 𝗙𝗨𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗘

 

Mauricio Salazar (Brownsville PD photo)

On 27 February 2025, Mauricio Salazar, a 24-year-old resident of Texas, was arrested in the city of Pharr in connection with the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Gerardo Gonzalez Jr. The incident occurred earlier that month in the parking lot of Sunset Funeral Home in Brownsville. Following his apprehension, Salazar was arraigned on 28 February and charged with first-degree murder. His bond was set at $1 million.

According to the Brownsville Police Department, the stabbing took place at approximately 2:16 a.m. on 2 February 2025. Officers responded to emergency calls reporting a violent altercation at the funeral home, located in the 600 block of Springmart Boulevard. Upon arrival, law enforcement officials learned that the victim, Gonzalez, had already been transported to a local medical facility. He later died from his injuries.

Public Information Officer Abril Luna, speaking in a video posted on the department’s official Facebook page, identified Salazar as the primary suspect in the homicide. She stated that the arrest was made on the basis of newly acquired evidence, though specific details regarding the nature of that evidence were not disclosed.

The Brownsville Police Department affirmed its ongoing commitment to the investigation and to the pursuit of justice in cases involving violent crime. “We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those responsible for violent crimes are held accountable,” said Luna in a formal statement. “We hope this arrest brings a measure of peace and comfort to the family and loved ones of Gerardo Gonzalez Jr.”

The investigation remains active, and additional information is expected to be released as the case progresses. If convicted, Salazar faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment under Texas state law.