North Texas murder suspect, fugitive captured after month-long search
Murder suspect, fugitive caught after month-long search
A North Texas murder suspect who removed his ankle monitor and did not show up for his murder trial in May has been captured.
VAN ZANDT COUNTY, Texas - A North Texas murder suspect who removed his ankle monitor and did not show up for his murder trial in May has been captured.
Capital Murder Suspect In Custody
Trevor McEuen being led out of a home in Van Zandt County (Source: Kaufman County Sheriff's Office)
The Latest:
Kaufman County Sheriff Bryan Beavers said 33-year-old Trevor McEuen is in custody after a month-long search. He said McEuen was arrested at his grandparents' home in Van Zandt County after a standoff.
Escaped capital murder suspect arrested
A North Texas murder suspect who removed his ankle monitor and did not show up for his murder trial in May has been captured. Kaufman County Sheriff Bryan Beavers says 32-year-old Trevor McEuen is in custody after a month-long search.
The investigation into finding McEuen revealed he was hiding in Van Zandt County, at his grandparents' home along Hwy. 80 near Grand Saline.
According to DPS, there was an hours-long stand-off that started in the early morning hours of June 2.
The Kaufman County Sheriff's Office, the Van Zandt County Sheriff's Office, Henderson County SWAT, the US Marshals and DPS were among the departments who assisted in the capture of McEuen.
He was then taken to the Kaufman County jail and is being held on charges including capital murder, four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and arson.
What they're saying:
"This arrest is the result of relentless and coordinated efforts by law enforcement personnel who worked around the clock to ensure that this dangerous individual was brought back into custody," said Sheriff Beavers. "The safety of our community was at stake, and we are proud of the partnership and professionalism displayed by every agency involved."
Trevor McEuen (Source: Kaufman County Jail)
"We are so relieved to get McEuen back in custody. This was a concern for the safety of the community. He's a dangerous suspect, human being, individual. Very happy for the Martinez family. They were looking for justice on May 15 when he absconded. So we can get back to getting this case tried," added Kaufman County District Attorney Erleigh Wiley.
In a statement on Monday afternoon, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said McEuen is "behind bars where he belongs."
"Thanks to our brave law enforcement for getting this heinous criminal off our streets," Abbott wrote on social media. "Texas will soon bring him to justice."
What's next:
Kaufman County DA Wiley said McEuen will likely stay in jail until his trial, which is now scheduled for August.
Authorities are also investigating whether individuals may have knowingly assisted McEuen during his time as a fugitive.
Victim's Family Reacts
Victim's family reacts to Trevor McEuen's capture
Aaron Martinez's father, along with attorney Carlos Quintanilla, react to the news that capital murder suspect Trevor McEuen has been captured. McEuen allegedly cut off his ankle monitor on the morning before his trial and has been on the run for about a month.
During a news conference on Monday afternoon, the family of Aaron Martinez thanked the Kaufman County Sheriff's Office and said they are grateful his alleged killer is back behind bars.
The Martinez family moved to Houston after McEuen disappeared because they were too afraid to stay in their home.
"My family is more comfortable right now, and we're not getting scared," said Salvador Martinez, the victim's father.
Carlos Quintanilla, an attorney and spokesman for the family, believes the deadly shooting was a hate crime. He also accused McEuen of continuing to harass the family while free on bond.
"He bonded out. They gave him a bond of $500,000 and he was able to pay that and became a free man. Once he became a free man, he continued his harassment against the family of Aaron Martinez. And he was re-arrested again and he was placed on a bond and given a $2 million bond and he was able to bail out on that," Quintanilla said.
Trevor McEuen Wanted
Trevor McEuen (Van Zandt County Sheriff's Office)
The backstory:
McEuen was scheduled to appear in court on May 5 for the start of his capital murder trial, but instead cut off his ankle monitor and disappeared in Van Zandt County.
According to the Kaufman County Sheriff's Office, McEuen was staying with relatives in nearby Van Zandt County while awaiting trial.
He removed his court-ordered ankle monitor at 5:33 a.m. that morning and allegedly set the house on fire before officers arrived.
McEuen is accused of shooting and killing his neighbor, Aaron Martinez, on Neal Road in Forney on May 1, 2023.
Investigators said he shot 35-year-old Martinez multiple times and then admitted to the murder after a SWAT standoff.
Aaron Martinez
Last May, a judge refused to reduce McEuen's $2 million bond.
In September, he posted that bond and was released from jail. Then a week later, he violated his terms.
McEuen was released again after posting another $2 million bond in December.
The Source: Information in this article came from the Kaufman County Sheriff's Office.