US News

Texas mechanic ‘ambushed’ and executed over $500 repair bill: family

By
Snejana Farberov
Published Dec. 27, 2022
Updated Dec. 27, 2022, 12:54 p.m. ET
Houston mechanic killed over $500 days before Christmas
0 seconds of 2 minutes, 8 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
02:08
02:08
More Videos
02:08
Houston mechanic killed over $500 days before Christmas
00:57
Terrifying video shows Arizona cop save local fire captain’s daughter from burning car
02:00
Insane moment car flies into veteran’s hall roof for SECOND time in 3 months
02:27
FBI leaving DC HQ, transferring 1,500 employees | Reporter Replay
05:22
Inside the Beckham family drama amid rift with son Brooklyn
06:28
Bryan Kohberger’s most disturbing red flags before the Idaho murders
01:51
DOJ sues Maine over trans athletes | Reporter Replay
05:43
A look at Trump's tough migration policies in his first 100 days
Close
 

A married dad of two and mechanic from Houston was ambushed, chased and shot dead execution-style just two days before Christmas over a dispute with a client about a $500 repair bill, according to the victim’s family.

Luis Manuel Casillas, 29, was found fatally shot in the 7600 block of North Freeway in Houston on Friday afternoon, news station ABC13 reported.

Sandy Casillas, Manuel’s sister, told the outlet that she learned from witnesses that her brother had gotten into an argument with a customer whose truck he had repaired.

The customer, who has not been named, showed up at Casillas’ body shop accompanied by five men and allegedly refused to pay the money he owed.

As the situation escalated, Casillas allegedly told his client to just take his truck and leave, but the confrontation took a violent turn.

Luis Manuel Casillas, 29, was found shot dead at point-blank range at his body shop Friday. Facebook
The shooting took place Friday in the 7600 block of North Freeway in Houston.
The shooting took place Friday in the 7600 block of North Freeway in Houston. KTRK
Family members said Casillas was chased by six men, made to kneel and was then shot in the head after a customer refused to pay a $500 repair bill.
Family members said Casillas was chased by six men, made to kneel and was shot in the head after a customer refused to pay a $500 repair bill. KTRK

“My brother started running,” Sandy Casillas told the station. “He ran through all the side businesses he could run through. They did catch up to him, and they shot him in the head. (Point) blank. They put him on his knees, and they shot him in the head.”

The sister claimed that her brother begged for his life, telling the gunmen, “I have a family, just take whatever you want,” but they ignored his pleas, according to KHOU11.

Casillas died from his injuries at a hospital. He leaves behind a wife and two daughters, ages 2 and 3.

Casillas, far right, is pictured with his wife and their two daughters, ages 2 and 3, who celebrated Christmas Sunday without their father.
Casillas (far right) with his wife and their two daughters, ages 2 and 3, who celebrated Christmas on Sunday without their father. Facebook/Sandy Yarely
Casillas planned to use the $500 from the repair bill to finish his Christmas shopping.
Casillas planned to use the $500 from the repair bill to finish his Christmas shopping. Facebook/Sandy Yarely
Sister Sandy Casillas, center, said she heard that her brother begged for his life.
Sister Sandy Casillas (center) said she heard that her brother begged for his life. KTRK

His family said Casillas had already bought Christmas presents for his children and planned to use the $500 from the repair bill to finish his holiday shopping.

“Santa was coming with Daddy, but Santa showed up, but Daddy didn’t,” Sandy said.

The victim’s relatives gathered on Christmas Day at the crime scene to demand that those who killed the father of two are held accountable for their actions.

“I’ll be damned if I let this case go cold,” Casillas’ sister said. “My brother will get his justice.”

Investigators told KHOU-11 that they are looking into the incident and would like to find surveillance footage of the shooting.

No suspects have been identified but the family told the outlet they think they know who the gunman might be and have shared that information with police.