A Texas resident, John Martin Dixon, 46, has been arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to records from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. The charges stem from an incident that took place in the early hours of July 17, when Dixon allegedly shot his neighbor’s son, Emmanuel Menchaca, 18, three times, including once in the back.
The Houston Police Department responded to a call about a shooting in progress at a residence on Belgard Street. Upon arrival, they found Menchaca injured from multiple gunshot wounds. Menchaca’s younger brother, who was also present at the scene, reported that he too had been shot at, but had managed to avoid being hit.
According to the victims’ statements, the shooting occurred after they had finished burying their pet guinea pig in their backyard. They were returning to the front of their house when they were fired upon by their neighbor, Dixon. Menchaca recalled feeling a push from behind and soon realized he had been shot. As the reality of the situation dawned on them, Menchaca’s younger brother sought refuge behind a nearby vehicle, witnessing his brother being shot repeatedly.
Menchaca, who is now attending college in San Antonio, expressed his shock and confusion about the incident to investigators. He couldn’t comprehend why Dixon would resort to such violence. His mother, in a GoFundMe campaign set up to cover medical and relocation expenses, described her son as a hardworking, loving, and selfless individual with a passion for animals.
The victims managed to escape and inform their parents about the incident. The charging document, while not providing specific details, links Dixon to the firearm allegedly used in the shooting. The gun was found in the room of Dixon’s father, John Morgan Dixon, who claimed that only he and his son used the firearm. He also mentioned that the gun had been used earlier that day to shoot a snake and a possum near their home.
Charges were filed several weeks after the incident, leading to Dixon’s placement on the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive List in early August. He was subsequently arrested. Menchaca’s mother, Andrea, expressed dissatisfaction with the charges, stating that she would have preferred a more severe charge considering her son spent 17 days in the ICU. Dixon is currently being held in the Harris County Jail on a $200,000 bond.