Willacy County man charged with murder following fatal Saturday shooting

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Jose Villalobos

A Willacy County man had charges against him upgraded to murder after one of the victims he allegedly shot was pronounced dead at a local hospital, according to a news release from the county’s sheriff’s office.

Jose Villalobos was initially charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, but is now facing one charge of murder along with one charge of the initial aggravated assault.

At 10:32 p.m. on Saturday, the Willacy County Sheriff’s Office dispatch received a call referring to shots fired, the news release said.

Once deputies arrived at the 1400 block of 7th Street in San Perlita, they made contact with a man and two gunshot victims.

One of the victims was transported by EMS using a ground unit while the other was “life flighted” to Valley Baptist Medical Center.

Villalobos was then taken into custody and charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Later that evening, it was later learned that the victim who was “life flighted” to the hospital died of their injuries.

“The second victim who was transported to Valley Baptist via ground medical unit is still in ICU, in critical condition,” the press release said.

Due to the death, Villalobos’ charges were subsequently upgraded to one count of murder and one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Authorities did not identify the people who were shot.

Villalobos was booked into the Willacy County Jail without further incident.

The Willacy County Sheriff’s Office is asking the community for assistance in their investigation by providing surveillance footage captured in the immediate area of the incident by calling at 956-689-5577, or by submitting an anonymous tip through the Willacy County Sheriff’s app.