In Irving, Texas, a manhunt concluded with the arrest of 37-year-old Salvadoran citizen, Oved Bernardo Mendoza Argueta, following a targeted shooting in a Chick-fil-A restaurant. The incident, which occurred on the afternoon of June 26, 2024, resulted in two fatalities, rattling the local community.
The Irving Police Department announced the capture of Mendoza Argueta early on the morning of June 27. Mendoza Argueta, who is in the country illegally, now faces charges of capital murder of multiple persons, according to the police.
Mendoza Argueta is presently detained in Irving City Jail, pending arraignment. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer has been placed on him, signaling ICE’s intention to take him into custody at a later date.
The deadly shooting took place around 3:40 p.m. at the Chick-fil-A on North MacArthur Boulevard. The victims, Patricia Portillo, 49, and Brayan Alexis Godoy, 31, were both employees of the restaurant. The police are of the opinion that the shooting was a targeted event, not a random act of violence.
An Irving Police Department spokesperson confirmed, “The suspect was taken into custody early this morning. Mendoza Argueta has an ICE hold, with the warrant agency being Immigration and Naturalization Service Dallas/Fort Worth.”
Mendoza Argueta’s wife, who is also an employee of Chick-fil-A, was an eyewitness to the shooting and positively identified him as the shooter. Following the incident, Mendoza Argueta fled the scene, triggering a manhunt. A photograph of him and the 1997 Honda 4-door car he was last seen driving were released by the authorities, who sought public assistance in locating him.
During the manhunt, police assured the public that there was no immediate threat. “We believe this was a targeted incident,” an official reiterated, “This was not a random act of violence.” TV footage showed police cars surrounding the Chick-fil-A, with screens set up in front of some windows and the parking lot cordoned off.
Witnesses inside the restaurant recounted the panic and chaos. Latina Williams, whose daughter was at the Taco Bell next door, described the terrifying moments. “She called me, crying and scared,” Williams said. “She heard the commotion from the Chick-fil-A and didn’t know what was happening.”
The Irving Police Department continues to investigate the incident, interviewing potential witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage. Officer Anthony Alexander stated, “We are still trying to determine exactly what led to the shooting. We are conducting interviews with potential witnesses and gathering as much information as possible.”
The restaurant remained closed on Thursday as the police investigation continued. The community is left to come to terms with the violence that unfolded in what is normally a location for family and community gatherings.
A memorial has been erected outside the restaurant in honor of the victims. Patricia Portillo’s family has established a GoFundMe to assist with funeral expenses. The local Chick-fil-A owner expressed his grief, saying, “Our hearts are broken by the tragedy that occurred inside our restaurant Wednesday. We will miss our two team members dearly. Right now, we focus on providing care for our team and the victims’ families.”