Tony Valdez Jr., a 22-year-old Hispanic man, was fatally shot on January 23, 2021, in the 100 block of Ahern Street in Corpus Christi, Texas. The shooting occurred about 3:40 p.m.; Valdez suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other people were also injured in the incident.

Police say the shooter was 18-year-old Dylan Leija, who had a disturbance with Valdez that led to the discharge of a weapon. Authorities believe the shooting was not random because Leija and Valdez knew each other. Leija was taken into custody and later showed up at a local hospital with a gunshot wound; he faced charges related to the shooting. The case was recorded as Corpus Christi’s first homicide of 2021.

Valdez is remembered by family as a loving son, father, grandson, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend who loved music and had a vibrant personality. He is survived by his mother Laura Carpio, stepfather Tony Carpio, father Tony Valdez, sisters Angelica Valdez and Lorena Gonzales, daughter Aubrianna Lynn Valdez, nephew Jose Garcia Jr., and other relatives.

Did anyone in the community witness the disturbance on Ahern Street or have information about that afternoon?