On October 17, 2021, 35-year-old Gilberto Tapia-Lopez of Midland, Texas, was one of three men killed in an early-morning shooting on the 1200 block of E CR 124 in south Midland County. The victims — Tapia-Lopez, 23-year-old James Davidson and 29-year-old Walter Ayala — were found dead of gunshot wounds after an incident that began with a fight at El Mitote Sports Lounge around 2:00 a.m.

According to an affidavit, the group left the lounge and went to the victim’s home where Kevin Alexis Martinez, 23, who had been living there about four months, approached with a rifle and opened fire. Tapia-Lopez’s girlfriend was reportedly spared when he pushed her to the ground, shielding her from the gunfire.

Martinez was arrested on October 21, 2021, by the Hereford Police Department in Deaf Smith County after being located at a hotel; he reportedly identified himself as the suspect. He was charged with three counts of capital murder and held on $3 million bond pending extradition to Midland for trial.

Did anyone in the community know Gilberto Tapia-Lopez or have information about the events that night?