June 7, 2022 - Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in the fatal shooting of a man at 4100 North Freeway service road (North Interstate Highway 45) about 9:35 p.m. on Wednesday (June 1).

The suspect, Max Lopez, 32, is charged with murder in the 178th State District Court. A booking photo of Lopez is attached to this news release.

He is accused in the death of Gabriel Palacios, 38.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant M. Holbrook and Detective D. Crowder reported:

Mr. Palacios was walking southbound on the sidewalk at the above address when Lopez approached him from behind. Lopez was wearing a white mask wrapped around his face. He accosted Palacios, then shot him. It is believed Lopez took items from Palacios and then fled the scene on foot southbound along the sidewalk.

Further investigation identified Lopez as the suspect in this case. Lopez was arrested on Monday (June 6) at a motel near the area where the shooting occurred by officers from the HPD North Patrol Division Crime Suppression Team. He was subsequently charged for his role in the shooting.