Hello everyone. Today, we have a somber story coming out of Irving, Texas, where a tragic event took place at a Chick-fil-A restaurant.
On Wednesday, a shooting occurred, leading to the arrest of 37-year-old Oved Bernardo Mendoza Argueta, an illegal alien from El Salvador. El Salvador is known for its high levels of violence and criminal street gangs, which adds a layer of complexity to this already heartbreaking incident.
Argueta was apprehended early Thursday morning and booked into the Irving City Jail. The incident unfolded at a Chick-fil-A in the Los Colinas neighborhood, a usually peaceful area now shaken by this tragic event. Both victims worked at the restaurant along with Argueta’s wife. One victim, Patricia Portillo, was identified, while the second victim remains unnamed.
The Irving Police Department acted swiftly, with multiple units working through the night to locate and arrest Argueta. Officer Anthony Alexander mentioned that their investigation led them to believe this was a targeted attack rather than a random act of violence. This information was crucial in piecing together the events leading up to the tragic incident.
UPDATE: We have identified the suspect & need everyone to be on the lookout for OVED BERNARDO MENDOZA ARGUETA, 37 yo. Last seen driving a silver 1997 Honda 4-dr, TXLP#GVH6205. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO APPREHEND OR CONTACT THE SUSPECT, but call 911 immediately if you know his whereabouts pic.twitter.com/oA4ULNlbYX
— Irving Police Dept. (@IrvingPD) June 26, 2024
On Twitter, the Irving Police Department shared an update, highlighting the dedication and tireless efforts of their officers. They successfully took the suspect into custody around 2:50 am, and he now awaits arraignment. The tweet showcased the community’s gratitude towards the police department for their professionalism and swift action during such a critical time.
UPDATE (2): After multiple units worked tirelessly overnight on the murder investigation that occurred yesterday, officers located & took the suspect (OVED BERNARDO MENDOZA ARGUETA) into custody at approx. 2:50 am. He is currently in the Irving City Jail & waiting to be arraigned pic.twitter.com/Am3N3iZPlj
— Irving Police Dept. (@IrvingPD) June 27, 2024
Adding another layer to this story, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed an immigration detainer on Argueta. This step indicates that he is indeed in the country illegally, and ICE will be involved in his case moving forward. ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Dallas confirmed this action, emphasizing their role in handling such serious matters involving individuals who are unlawfully present in the U.S.
Chick-fil-A also released a heartfelt statement expressing its grief over the loss of its team members. It emphasized its commitment to supporting its team and the families of the victims during this difficult time. It also extended its thanks to the Irving Police Department for its professionalism and compassion throughout the investigation.
“Our hearts are broken by the tragedy that unfolded inside our restaurant Wednesday. We will miss our two Team Members dearly,” Chick-fil-A said in a statement. “Right now, our focus is on providing care for our Team and the victims’ families.”
