Oscar Garza, 26, and Javier Gonzalez, 21, had no idea their fishing trip would turn fatal, but a confrontation with another boat quickly escalated before the other boat opened fire, killing Garza in the process.
Shots were fired just before 8:46 p.m. at the international reservoir, which is the time when the sheriff’s office in Zapata County was notified about the shooting.
“They fatally injured Mr. Garza, who died there in the boat. Mr. Gonzalez sped away and bullets were hitting the boat. He jumped off the boat to try to hide from the bullets and hide from the gunmen.”
Gonzalez wasn’t shot, but he was hospitalized for hypothermia.
The shooting follows the killing of a jet-skier on the same lake just six years earlier.
Zapata County Sheriff’s Office deputies, the Texas Rangers and other agencies are currently investigating if the shooting took place on the American or Mexican side of the lake.
The shooting could be related to cartel members – since the lake has seen multiple instances of drug activity over the years – but it’s too early to tell.
