James Wesley Lucas Jr., 44, was shot and killed on September 20, 2021, in the parking lot of a Stripes gas station at Ayers and Horne Road in Corpus Christi. The shooting happened about 4:45 PM; Lucas was taken to a local hospital and later died of his injuries.

Corpus Christi police identified Terry Stafford and Mercedes Martinez as persons of interest. Surveillance captured images of the suspects’ SUV and two women, though the shooter’s image was not released. Stafford was accused of shooting Lucas; Martinez faced additional charges of failure to report a felony and hindering apprehension. Both were arrested a few days later in North-Central Texas and were expected to be extradited to Nueces County.

The investigation is ongoing and Lucas’s parents have publicly asked for justice. Anyone who has information about the shooting is asked to contact investigators.