Police in Katy, Texas arrested and charged four family members over the shooting death of a man who authorities say is a case of mistaken identity. Deputies say the four people chased, cornered and shot 29-year-old Eddie Clark III Monday night (May 17) in a neighborhood in northwest Harris County.
Clark was driving home, and was around the corner, when police say Joe Argueta, 19, along with his parents, Florinda Argueta and Luis Argueta, and his uncle Margarito Alcantar, chased him, and boxed Clark in with their cars. The 19-year-old admitted to having a gun and firing several shots, according to a report by ABC News 13.
The teen told investigators he and his family’s home had been repeatedly vandalized over an ex-girlfriend. The family mistook Clark for the man they were looking for to carry out their plan to “take care of” the problem.
“This is an example of taking the law into your own hands,” a hearing officer said in court last week. “Not going through the proper authorities to resolve any other harm or destruction that was being done to your own residence or your own home. It still doesn’t justify taking the law into your own hands and mistaking the person.”
A neighbor’s home security camera caught a portion of the deadly confrontation in which the sound of Clark’s car crashing into a tree can be heard. According to reports, the family chased Clark on foot at some point during the confrontation. The teen told investigators he fired several shots before Clark crashed his vehicle into a tree.
Clark's killing is being compared to the February 2020 killing of Ahmaud Arbery who was chased and shot by three men in Georgia. The men attempted to detain Arbery who they suspected of burglarizing a nearby home.
All four members of the family are facing murder charges. Joe posted $50,000 for bail. His father and uncle are reportedly on the run from authorities, and warrants for their arrests have been issued. Joe’s mother remains in custody and has a $20,000 bond.
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