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No Suspect, Motive Yet For Sunday Homicide Of Vehicle Passenger In Irving

IRVING, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - Irving Police are investigating a homicide investigators said happened shortly after 2:00 a.m. Sunday, October 7.

Police said the victim, 34-year-old Juan Casas was a passenger in a vehicle going southbound on State Loop 12 near State Highway 183.

Juan Jose Casas-Cruz
Juan Jose Casas-Cruz - victim of deadly shooting (Irving Police Dept.)

A small pickup truck pulled up next to Casas and began shooting, police said.

Casas was hit by one of the rounds and was killed.

His family said he had been at a restaurant watching a game before the shooting.

He was in a car with his brother and nephew when bullets started flying out of nowhere.

Casas, a father of two who planned to return home to his wife and kids in one month, was hit in the head.

"We got scared and started screaming," said Orlando Casas, the victim's nephew. "We pulled over and called police for help."

By the time police arrived, the shooter in the truck was long gone without anyone getting a license plate.

Police says this is not gang related.

There seems to be no reason why these men were targeted.

"If there's anyone who saw anything or heard anything that would help us or assist us in anyway in locating the suspect, so that we can bring them to justice," said Irving Police Officer David Dickinson.

Casas' family says Juan life revolved around working and church.

He was baptized in a local Adventist Church recently.

He was saving money to go home to his wife and kids in Mexico and start a business.

While police do not yet have a motive for the deadly shooting, but describe the suspect's vehicle as a 1995 – 2000 model dark green Toyota Tacoma extra cab pickup truck with dark tinted windows.

 

Toyota Tacoma
Toyota Tacoma (Irving Police Dept.)

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Irving Police Department at (972) 273-1010. Tips may also be submitted to ipdcrimetips@cityofirving.org.

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