2001-02-12 1

UNSOLVED: Amarillo detectives renew search for answers in 2001 murder of Agustine Villalon

More than 25 years after Agustine Villalon was gunned down inside his Amarillo home, detectives are once again asking for the public's help as they revisit a case that has remained unsolved for decades.

On the night of February 12, 2001, at approximately 11:14 p.m., Amarillo police responded to a reported shooting at 1410 N. Johnson Street. When officers arrived, they found Agustine Villalon suffering from a fatal shotgun wound to the back. He died at the scene. His daughter-in-law was also struck by shotgun pellets in her hand and wrist while attempting to shield herself from the blast. She was transported to Northwest Texas Hospital, where she was treated for her injuries.

According to investigators, Villalon had been watching television with family members when the attack unfolded. Relatives were spread throughout the home, including a small child in a back bedroom.

Detectives say two masked men forced their way inside carrying a shotgun. Moments after entering, one of the suspects pointed the weapon at Villalon and fired. After the shooting, the intruders fled the residence.

Witnesses reported that the attack involved more than just the two gunmen. Investigators believe at least two additional individuals were waiting outside. After the shooting, two people were seen running from the area and getting into a vehicle parked north of the residence before fleeing.

Early in the investigation, detectives ruled out robbery, burglary, or any accidental circumstances.

Instead, investigators determined the shooting was intentional and targeted. However, they also believe Agustine Villalon may not have been the intended victim.

"We don't feel that Agustine was the target," investigators have said. "We believe he happened to be there when the suspects came looking for someone else."

Over the course of the investigation, detectives interviewed numerous witnesses, processed the crime scene, collected evidence, and developed several persons of interest. Despite those efforts, investigators were unable to gather enough evidence to file charges.

One nickname repeatedly surfaced during the investigation: "Deuce." Detectives say an individual known by that street name was considered a suspect, but the lead stalled because multiple people in Amarillo were known by the same nickname.

Witnesses described the two gunmen as:

• A Hispanic male, approximately 16 to 20 years old, 5'6" to 5'7", around 120 pounds, with a thin build and short wavy hair. He was reportedly wearing a white football jersey with worn numbers, dark trim, and a beanie cap.

• A Hispanic male approximately 5'3" to 5'5", about 120 pounds, wearing a long black trench coat and a beanie cap.

Investigators believe at least one additional accomplice remained in a waiting vehicle nearby.

The case was also examined for possible gang ties, but detectives say no definitive connection was ever established.

Today, advances in forensic science have given investigators renewed hope. Amarillo detectives plan to resubmit evidence for modern DNA testing and re-examine the case using investigative techniques that were unavailable in 2001.

Detectives are urging anyone who remembers suspicious activity that night—or anyone who may have heard conversations, rumors, or admissions afterward—to come forward. Even seemingly minor details about vehicles seen leaving the neighborhood or individuals discussing the homicide could prove critical.

After more than two decades, investigators believe someone still knows what happened inside that home on North Johnson Street. They hope a fresh look at the evidence—and a renewed appeal to the public—will finally provide the answers needed to bring justice to Agustine Villalon and his family.