In the late hours of October 4, 2024, a fatal shooting at a Whataburger restaurant in West El Paso, Texas claimed the life of Edgar Gabriel Lucero, 37, of Sunland Park, New Mexico.
According to his family, Lucero was with his stepchildren and niece when the incident unfolded. The altercation, which ended in gunfire, has left his loved ones grappling with grief and unanswered questions.
El Paso Police Department (EPPD) identified Lucero as the victim in the shooting at the Whataburger located on Sunland Park Drive. Family members described how the night began with a vehicle collision and quickly spiraled out of control.
Lucero’s niece explained that a white Ford crashed into their car, after first hitting another car, while they were in the drive-thru line. “He (Lucero) went to the car, and he was like, ‘What’s up? Like, what’s wrong with you?’ My uncle did get a little aggressive, but it was because he had his three kids in the car. He was angry,” she told KTSM.
Lucero’s family added that he retrieved a hammer and struck the truck’s windows. At that moment, the driver reportedly fired two shots, fatally wounding Lucero. The EPPD has yet to verify this account of the incident as some aspects of the shooting remain under investigation.
Lucero’s fiancée, Monica Romero, expressed her frustration about the incident. She said that self-defense would have only applied if Lucero had physically confronted the driver, which she claims he did not. She also expressed her strong desire for accountability, saying that consequences are warranted.
Though no direct charges have been filed concerning Lucero’s death, EPPD arrested Hector Manuel Lopez Jr., 45, on the night of the incident on a charge of driving while intoxicated. Lopez was in the Whataburger drive-thru with a 2020 Ford F-150, and court documents indicate his involvement in the events leading up to the shooting, though specifics remain unclear.
The EPPD has advised the public to avoid road confrontations to prevent similar incidents. The department stressed that aggressive driving, like tailgating and weaving, can lead to serious accidents and injuries. These behaviors not only put the people involved at risk but can also harm innocent bystanders.
A GoFundMe page has been established to assist Lucero’s family with funeral expenses as they await further developments in the investigation.