Sometimes, helping someone can lead to unexpected results. In a surprising incident in Texas, a simple act of kindness ended in a murder arrest—after police unknowingly gave a ride to a man who had allegedly committed a homicide just hours earlier.
What began as a routine check on an abandoned vehicle quickly turned into a major criminal investigation involving two counties and a murder in Austin.
The Strange Call at 4 a.m.
In the early hours of April 28, 2025, around 4 a.m., Kerr County Sheriff’s deputies were alerted about a truck left in the middle of a road near Kerrville, Texas. It seemed like a minor issue—just an abandoned Chevy Silverado—but things took an unexpected turn soon after.
While deputies were inspecting the truck, they received another urgent call. This time, someone at a nearby Mini-Mart reported people knocking on windows and acting strangely.
Meeting the Suspect—Unknowingly
When the officers reached the store, they found 22-year-old Gonzalo Mendoza-Gonzalez and a woman. When asked about the truck, the woman claimed she didn’t know anything about it. Believing they were just stranded, the deputies offered them a ride—a kind gesture often seen in small towns.
They dropped them off at a nearby hotel, unaware that Mendoza-Gonzalez had a loaded gun and was being hunted for murder in Austin.
Shocking News from Austin Police
Soon after the drop-off, the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the Austin Police Department. They were told that the abandoned truck was linked to a homicide case. The victim, 22-year-old Samantha Fernandez, had been fatally shot in a parking lot in East Austin just hours earlier.
Quick Action and Arrest
Realising the seriousness of the situation, deputies rushed back to the hotel. There, they found Mendoza-Gonzalez, searched him, and found a loaded weapon in his possession. He was arrested on the spot.
According to Austin police, he is the prime suspect in the shooting of Samantha Fernandez and had likely fled Austin right after committing the crime.
A Twist of Irony
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha commented on the case, saying, “Taking a murder suspect off the streets is always a good day—even if you unknowingly gave him a ride there first.”
This strange case shows how quickly routine situations can turn serious and how sometimes doing a favour may bring criminals straight to justice.