After a week-long investigation, Harris County authorities have arrested a man in connection to the fatal shooting of a food truck owner in northwest Houston. The alleged gunman remains at large as well as a possible getaway driver.
John Ray Aycock appeared in court Wednesday morning to face capital murder charges for a botched Oct. 12 robbery that left Lorezno Vasquez dead in his mobile kitchen, El Paraiso, parked along Fairbanks North Houston Road.
Court documents reveal that the accused pretended to place a food order as his accomplice — identified as Adrian Gomez — burst through the rear door of the truck with a handgun. Sonia Vasquez, the owner's wife, watched as the intruder shot her husband in the head during a brief struggle.
The victim, originally from El Salvador, had plans to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant in the coming years.
After Gomez fled the scene, Aycock stayed nearby to offer police his eyewitness account. He went so far as to give a detailed description of the shooter, saying that "he observed the suspect's face clearly" and "even made eye contact with him."
During the course of the investigation, officers discovered a virtually identical food truck robbery had occurred in the same area hours before the Vasquez murder. This time, surveillance cameras caught Aycock acting as a lookout.
He later confessed, telling authorities that he agreed to assist in the robberies but said that the shooting was not "part of the plan." After the killing, he decided to assist as a witness without implicating himself in the crime.
In a press conference, Harris County sheriff Adrian Garcia revealed to reporters that he personally knew the victim. Both Lorenzo and Sonia Vasquez work with Garcia's wife in providing independent Medicaid insurance. Lorenzo Vasquez, originally from El Salvador, had plans to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant in the coming years.
Those with information regarding the case are asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS. Anonymity is guaranteed for all tipsters.
Sketches of the alleged gunman, left, and his getaway driver
