Who shot Patrick Aldape? Patrick Aldape, a 17-year-old male from Houston, Texas, was tragically shot and killed on April 13, 2017. The incident occurred in a cul-de-sac in the Northshore area, where Aldape had arranged to meet his classmate, Jesse Quinones, also 17 at the time. The two were students at ACE and had met to exchange a shotgun that belonged to Aldape. Quinones had been working on the firearm and was supposed to return it along with a payment of $250 that he owed Aldape.
During the meeting, Quinones handed Aldape the shotgun wrapped in a towel. Aldape then reminded Quinones about the money he was owed. Quinones responded that he needed to retrieve the funds and drove a few blocks away. Instead of returning with the money, Quinones loaded a 9mm pistol and drove back to the cul-de-sac. When Aldape approached the driver’s side of Quinones’ vehicle, Quinones rolled down his window and fired multiple shots at Aldape.
Quinones later told investigators that he continued shooting because Aldape was screaming and he "had to finish it."
After the shooting, Quinones fled the scene but crashed his car about a mile and a half away. He abandoned the vehicle, leaving the murder weapon behind. Meanwhile, a woman who had been with Aldape at the time of the shooting rushed him to a hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The woman also discarded the shotgun in nearby bushes, which was later recovered by police.
Several days after the fatal shooting, Quinones voluntarily went to a Houston Police Department storefront and confessed to his role in the crime. He was subsequently charged with capital murder. However, due to his age at the time of the crime, he was eligible for a plea deal. Quinones pleaded guilty to murder instead of capital murder, which allowed him to avoid a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 40 years. Instead, he was sentenced to 35 years in prison and must serve at least half of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole. His conviction and sentence cannot be appealed.
The case highlighted concerns about gun violence among teenagers, with officials emphasizing the need for justice for victims and their families. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office noted that the resolution of this long-pending case was part of their broader effort to prioritize older homicide cases and ensure justice for affected families.
