Following a months-long investigation into a fatal shooting on Fleming Drive, Houston police have apprehended two teenagers, one of them now facing murder charges. Erick Bernando Romero Cruz, 17, was charged with murder in the 230th State District Court, for the killing of 18-year-old Ivan Bernandez-Altamirano in October last year. The incident, which took place approximately at 8 p.m. on October 14, 2024, has sent shockwaves through the community.
According to the official press release from the Houston Police Department, responding officers found Bernandez-Altamirano with multiple gunshot wounds. The Houston Fire Department paramedics pronounced the man deceased at the scene. While initially the motive for the shooting was undetermined, ongoing investigations eventually led to the identification of Cruz and an additional 16-year-old male as suspects.
The 16-year-old, whose identity is protected due to his juvenile status, was also charged with murder and referred to the Harris County Juvenile Probation authorities. Detectives R. Waterwall and C. Vaughn of the HPD Homicide Division swiftly took on the case, piecing together eyewitness accounts and gathering evidence that pointed to the involvement of these two youths, as well as two other juveniles who were later identified and charged with aggravated assault.
In the wake of the arrests and charges, HPD continues to encourage anyone with information related to the case to come forward. Tips can be provided either by contacting the HPD Homicide Division directly or by speaking anonymously to Crime Stoppers.
While a photo of Erick Romero Cruz has been released, as he is charged as a adult, images and names of the juvenile suspects have been withheld from public release, in accordance with legal protections for minors. As the legal proceedings against Cruz and the other suspects move forward, the eyes of the community will no doubt remain fixed on how these charges are adjudicated and how justice will ultimately be served.
