Houston Parking Lot Shooting Leaves Beloved Patron Gerardo Villalobos Salgado Fatally Wounded Inside Car
Houston, Texas — Gerardo Villalobos Salgado:
The chaos began in a moment so ordinary it almost feels impossible that it carried such an irreversible ending. On November 7, along the busy stretch of 3107 Blalock Road near Kempwood, Gerardo Villalobos Salgado had pulled into his usual spot just steps from the food truck he had grown fond of over the past couple of months. He left his car briefly, planning only to grab a quick bite, something he’d done enough times that the workers recognized him instantly. But as he returned to the driver’s seat, the quiet rhythm of the evening was cracked open by the sound of gunfire. The shots came without warning, echoing across the lot in sharp bursts that sent nearby customers ducking for safety and left Salgado gravely wounded inside his vehicle.
Raquel Osorio, who had stepped to the side of the truck moments earlier, recalled hearing the sudden blasts followed by a stillness that felt unnatural. When she looked toward the parked car, she saw the man who had so often brought laughter to her shift now slumped and motionless. Her voice trembled when she spoke to officers, describing how he had been a friendly, familiar presence—someone who sat close, told jokes, and eased the long hours with humor and kindness. For her, the sudden silence he left behind is almost as jarring as the violence itself.
Houston Police arrived at the scene around 4 p.m. after receiving a shooting call. Officers found the 50-year-old still inside his car, struck by at least one bullet. Paramedics with the Houston Fire Department got there shortly after but could only confirm the inevitable. Salgado was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving investigators with more questions than answers in the early stages.
At first, detectives had no suspect, no motive, and no clear explanation of what had unfolded in those brief but catastrophic moments. However, progress came a week later. On November 14, authorities formally charged 41-year-old Edwin Leonel Caal Gill with murder, issuing the warrant through the 185th Criminal District Court. Despite the charge, Gill has not yet been taken into custody, and investigators continue efforts to locate him. For now, he remains at large, adding another layer of uncertainty for a grieving community.
Houston Police Department’s Homicide Division, led in this case by Detectives H. Martinez and L. Brooks, continues to piece together the timeline, hoping video footage or eyewitness accounts might fill the gaps. They are encouraging anyone with information—whether dash-cam footage, surveillance video, or firsthand details—to contact their office directly at 713-308-3600 or reach out anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
As the investigation proceeds, Osorio and others who knew Salgado feel the shift in atmosphere at the food truck. Where he once brought light conversation and warmth, there is now an empty space and a lingering heaviness. Workers and nearby business owners describe him as a kind, steady presence—someone who belonged there.
Salgado’s final moments began as a simple errand, something routine and unremarkable, yet they ended in a way that has shaken everyone who crossed paths with him. His absence is deeply felt, and until Caal Gill is located and brought before the court, the wound in the community remains open. Heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends as they navigate this loss, still waiting for justice to take its next step.