Texas Border Business
ALAMO – A Hidalgo County judge has convicted Eric Gonzalo Hernandez, 42, of Alamo, Texas, of murder and sentenced him to 40 years in prison in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred in Alamo in 2022.
On March 5, 2022, the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a shooting in Alamo. Upon arrival, deputies found an unresponsive male victim suffering from two gunshot wounds. The victim, Javier Cruz, was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
Family members who were present at the scene identified Hernandez as the individual who fired multiple rounds at the victim. Hernandez fled the scene following the shooting and was later apprehended in Mission, Texas.
The case was heard in the 92nd District Court of Hidalgo County with Judge Luis Singleterry presiding. After a jury was selected, Hernandez entered a guilty plea on November 10, 2025. On January 14, 2026, the court sentenced Hernandez to 40 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
“Mr. Hernandez deserves every bit of this 40-year sentence for the senseless and cold-blooded murder he committed,” said Hidalgo County District Attorney Toribio “Terry” Palacios. “We hope this sentence brings a measure of closure to the victim’s family and serves as a reminder that our office will seek the maximum penalties allowed by law for those who commit violent crimes in Hidalgo County.”
The charge resulted from an investigation conducted by the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office.
Chief Assistant Criminal District Attorney Hope Palacios, of the Major Crimes Division, prosecuted the case.
