On March 16, 2025, 16-year-old Hispanic male Jayden Alexander Solis was fatally shot at a basketball court near the Alvin D. Baggett Community Center in Galena Park, Texas. The incident occurred around 7 p.m. on Keene Street, where deputies found the teenager deceased at the scene. Jayden had been playing basketball with friends earlier that day. His close friend, Adam Escalante, recounted that they had been playing together before some of the group left to play soccer nearby.
Upon hearing gunshots, Escalante rushed back to the court and found Jayden lying on the ground. The sudden loss deeply affected the community, prompting calls for increased police presence to ensure the safety of local youth.
Authorities arrested 17-year-old Angel Elizalde of Houston in connection with the shooting. Elizalde was charged with murder after three eyewitnesses identified him as the shooter, and surveillance footage from the recreation center supported their accounts. He was scheduled to appear in the 337th District Court on March 18, 2025. However, Elizalde did not attend his initial court setting due to reportedly being combative in custody. A magistrate judge set his bond at $500,000. At his family home, a woman identifying herself as Elizalde's sister acknowledged awareness of the charges but claimed ignorance about her brother's arrest.
The tragic death of 16-year-old Hispanic male Jayden Alexander Solis has left the Galena Park community in mourning. Friends and family gathered at the community center to pay their respects, with many expressing concerns about the safety of teenagers in the area. Residents like Jennifer Hernandez and Lolita Dixon have urged local authorities to increase patrols and take measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The community continues to seek justice for Jayden and hopes for a safer environment for its youth.
