On a quiet evening in Houston, tragedy erupted suddenly and violently, forever altering the lives of those who knew Gerardo Villalobos Salgado. It was November 7 when the 50-year-old man, a familiar face at a local food truck on Blalock Road near Kempwood, stepped away from his vehicle for a brief moment, perhaps to grab a quick bite or chat with a friend.
But in that fleeting instant, shots rang out, shattering the calm of the evening and unleashing chaos. The gunfire was sharp and abrupt, echoing through the neighborhood, leaving witnesses stunned in its wake.
Raquel Osorio, a worker at the food truck and a witness to the aftermath, heard the shots immediately after stepping aside. Her heart sank as she turned toward the source of the violence, realizing that her regular customer, Gerardo, had been struck. When police officers arrived around 4 p.m., they found Salgado slumped inside his parked car, a victim of a gunshot wound to the body. Paramedics from the Houston Fire Department responded swiftly but, tragically, declared him dead at the scene. The loss was sudden, cruel, and left a community in shock.
Initially, detectives faced a confusing puzzle. There was little information about who might have shot Salgado or why. There were no immediate witnesses or clear motives, leaving the case shrouded in mystery. The scene offered no obvious suspects, and investigators worked tirelessly to gather evidence, hoping to piece together the events that led to this deadly act. The quiet aftermath was filled with questions: Was it an argument that escalated? A random act of violence? Or something more personal? The investigation was just beginning, and the community waited anxiously for answers.
However, a significant breakthrough came exactly one week later, on November 14. The Houston Police Department announced that they had charged 41-year-old Edwin Leonel Caal Gill with the murder of Gerardo Villalobos Salgado in the 185th Criminal District Court. The arrest marked a critical step forward, yet Gill remains at large, evading law enforcement’s grasp. The case is still open, and investigators continue to seek leads that could bring the suspect into custody and clarify the motive behind this tragic shooting.
Raquel Osorio remembered Salgado as a regular who brought a friendly presence to her food truck. Over the last few months, he’d become a familiar face—someone who sat nearby, shared jokes, and created a welcoming atmosphere. To her, he was more than just a customer; he was a part of the community, a steady presence whose absence is deeply felt. Nearby workers and residents recall Salgado as a known figure, someone who added a touch of warmth and camaraderie to their days. His sudden death turned what was a simple stop for a meal into a final moment in a life abruptly ended.
The investigation continues to focus on uncovering the full story behind Salgado’s death. Detectives H. Martinez and L. Brooks from the Houston Police Homicide Division are actively seeking any potential leads. They ask anyone with information—whether it be dashcam footage, witness accounts, or anything else—to contact them at 713-308-3600 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS. The case remains open as authorities try to determine how the motive connects to the gunfire and whether other factors played a role.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Gerardo Villalobos Salgado’s family and friends during this incredibly painful time. The community mourns the loss of a man who was loved and respected, and hopes that justice will soon be served. As the search for the suspect continues, the hope remains that clarity and peace will come, and that no more lives are lost to violence.
