Houston Police Department

July 13, 2006 -- Houston police have arrested a suspect who shot and killed a man at 500 West Mount Houston about 4:10 p.m. on Saturday, June 17, 2006. The suspect, Jorge Alberto Silva (Hm/ DOB 12-13-88) was arrested on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 and is charged with manslaughter in the 183rd State District Court.

The victim, Bertin Gonzalez Jr., 17, of 11500 Green Plaza #709 suffered a gunshot wound to the head and was transported to Ben Taub General Hospital where he died on June 18, 2006.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant M.D. Newcomb and Officer T. Huynh reported that the original statement given to investigators was that Gonzalez was driving westbound in the 500 block of West Mount Houston when he pulled a handgun out of the glove compartment and shot himself while playing with it. Investigators later learned that Silva was playing with the gun in the back seat of the vehicle and pulled the trigger, discharging the weapon and striking Gonzalez in the back of the head.

Update AW/ MES 7-13-06
NJM 6/18/06
Inc #094199006

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division a 713-308-3200.