Travis County Sheriff's Office Requests Public Assistance in Solving 2-Year-Old Homicide Cold Case

URL: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/crime/2023/07/27/austin-homicide-cold-case-v-zquez-l-pez-travis-county-sherrif-sally-hernandez/11770664/

On Thursday, the Travis County sheriff's office appealed to the public for help in solving the cold case homicide of Wilbert "Willie" Vázquez-López, who was shot and killed on August 19, 2022, just minutes before his 18th birthday.

"We never give up on our victims. We are wholeheartedly committed to justice." - Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez

According to Detective Jennifer Boland, the lead investigator, deputies responded to a mobile home park at 11919 Menchaca Road in South Austin at 11:40 p.m. on the night of the incident. Vázquez-López was found with a single gunshot wound to the chest, sitting on his porch listening to music. He succumbed to his injury at a local hospital at 12:10 a.m. on August 20, 2022.

Surveillance footage obtained from neighbors recorded three gunshots, followed by two unidentified men fleeing the scene and entering a dark-colored sedan. Investigators believe the assailants knew Vázquez-López, but their identities remain unknown.

Vázquez-López was a well-liked senior at Akins High School, remembered by his peers as a fun-loving and selfless friend. The motive for his killing remains a mystery, as he had no known enemies or criminal associations.

"I want (my son's killers) to look into their hearts... Even though it's been two years, it still hurts... I'm always thinking of my son. I need justice." - Diana López, Vázquez-López's mother

Nearly two years on, the sheriff's office continues to seek justice for Vázquez-López and his grieving family. Anyone with information is urged to contact the sheriff's office tip line at 512-854-1444 or Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477.

URLs:

• https://www.statesman.com/story/news/crime/2023/07/27/austin-homicide-cold-case-v-zquez-l-pez-travis-county-sherrif-sally-hernandez/11770664/