Houston Park Ambush Leaves Two Elderly Men Dead; Suspect Arrested and Charged

HOUSTON, TX – July 2, 2025 – A peaceful early morning walk turned deadly last Friday when two elderly men were shot and killed in what police describe as an ambush-style attack at Wildheather Park in southwest Houston.

The victims, Nathanael Reyes, 67, and Guadalupe Flores, 74, were regular walkers at the park. Around 5:45 a.m., they were gunned down while on their usual route. A passerby discovered the bodies and called 911.

When officers arrived, they found both men with multiple gunshot wounds. According to Houston Police Department investigator Michael Arrington, the suspect approached them from behind and continued firing after they had fallen to the ground.

“It was a deliberate and violent attack,” Arrington said. “This wasn’t random. The suspect stood over them and kept shooting.”

Surveillance footage from the area showed a white four-door sedan leaving the scene shortly after the shooting. A witness confirmed seeing a similar vehicle speeding away.

On Monday, officers with the HPD Southwest Patrol Crime Suppression Unit located the suspect’s vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. The driver, identified as 24-year-old Charles Ernest Lopez, was arrested at the scene. Police say Lopez later admitted to the crime during questioning.

Lopez has been charged with capital murder. Investigators say there is no evidence that robbery was a motive, as both victims still had their personal belongings, including phones and wallets.

“We don’t believe the victims knew the suspect,” said Arrington. “At this point, the motive remains unclear.”

The families of the victims are heartbroken. Guadalupe Flores’ son, Willie Fuentes, said his father was a man of strong faith who led a quiet life.

“My father believed in forgiveness, but he also believed in justice,” Fuentes told local news outlet KHOU. “He was just walking in the park, staying healthy. He didn’t deserve this.”

The incident has left the local community shaken. Residents are calling for increased security and more patrols in city parks. Houston officials have promised to review safety measures in public spaces.

As the investigation continues, the city mourns two lives lost in an act of senseless violence that has raised serious concerns about safety in public places.