Heartbreak in Weslaco: Jessica Mendez, 38, Fatally Shot in Her Home — Boyfriend Confesses, Child Witnessed Tragedy
Weslaco, Texas — A tragic and deeply unsettling act of domestic violence has shattered a family and left a quiet Weslaco neighborhood grieving. Jessica Mendez, a 38-year-old mother and loved community member, was found shot to death in her own home earlier this week. Her boyfriend, Rigoberto Garza, 39, has been arrested and charged after confessing to the murder. What makes the tragedy even more painful: a child was home during the attack.
Authorities say the crime occurred in the early hours inside a residence located on the 600 block of West 11th Street. Officers with the Weslaco Police Department were dispatched to the scene after receiving a distress call. Upon arrival, they found Jessica Mendez dead from multiple gunshot wounds. According to police spokesperson Heriberto Caraveo, she had been shot several times.
Garza, who fled the scene, turned himself in to police in Alamo not long after the murder. He walked into the station and confessed to killing Mendez. Officers immediately took him into custody. On Friday, July 19, Garza was arraigned and his bond was set at $250,000. He now faces charges of murder and criminal possession of a weapon, and the investigation remains ongoing.
A Home Turned Crime Scene
The house where Jessica Mendez was killed is now a crime scene that neighbors can’t stop looking at. Some still can’t believe the horror unfolded just steps away from where their children play.
Police confirmed that a young child was inside the home at the time of the murder. Miraculously, the child was not physically harmed, but the emotional trauma left behind is unimaginable. That child has since been placed with family, but the scars of what they saw or heard that night may last a lifetime.
“This child lost their mother, and in many ways, they lost their father too,” one neighbor said, visibly shaken. “There are no words.”
A Community in Mourning
Jessica Mendez was described by friends and neighbors as a kind, gentle, and devoted mother who loved her child more than anything. She was known for keeping to herself, working hard, and doing everything she could to raise her child in a stable home. But beneath the surface, it now appears she may have been silently enduring a relationship that turned deadly.
“It was very unexpected,” one nearby resident shared. “She didn’t deserve this. That child didn’t deserve this.”
Throughout the day Friday, people left flowers and candles outside the home. Messages of love, prayers, and shock filled local social media. Many called for greater awareness of domestic violence and the warning signs that sometimes go unnoticed until it’s too late.
Justice Ahead, Healing Needed
The investigation remains active as Weslaco’s Advanced Investigations Unit and Child Protective Services coordinate with prosecutors to gather every detail. Officials have confirmed that Garza’s confession will play a key role in the case, along with physical evidence gathered at the scene.
Police continue to interview neighbors and possible witnesses to build a clearer timeline of events leading up to the shooting. Authorities have not confirmed if there were any previous domestic violence reports involving the couple.
While legal proceedings move forward, the community is focused on mourning Jessica and offering support to her child. Grief counselors and support services are being made available to the family and neighbors affected by the trauma.
Final Thoughts
Jessica Mendez’s life was stolen in the place she should have been safest—her home. Her death is yet another painful reminder of the silent crisis of domestic violence that affects countless families every year. And now, one more child must grow up without a mother, caught in the aftermath of senseless violence.
As Weslaco begins to heal, one thing is clear: Jessica will not be forgotten. Her memory, her love, and her spirit will live on in her child and in the hearts of all who knew her.