El Paso, TX – A 21-year-old Texas man has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting his girlfriend’s uncle, who had gone to her apartment to help remove him following an argument over infidelity. Authorities say the fatal shooting unfolded Sunday afternoon inside an El Paso apartment complex, ending a two-day dispute between the couple.
The Incident: Argument Turns Deadly After Church Visit
According to the City of El Paso Police Department, the suspect, Jaeveyin Porter, and his girlfriend had been arguing since Halloween night over accusations of cheating. On Sunday, after attending church, the girlfriend picked up her 36-year-old uncle, Miguel Garcia, and brought him back to the apartment she shared with Porter to help her ask him to leave.
Investigators said the couple informed Porter they were outside the La Estancia apartment complex on the 7900 block of Viscount Boulevard, but Porter refused to open the door. Moments later, Garcia forced the door open, and the confrontation escalated into gunfire.
“She heard several gunshots and saw the suspect coming out of the apartment shooting her uncle,” police wrote in the arrest report.
When officers arrived just before noon, they found Garcia’s body outside the apartment, dead from multiple gunshot wounds.
Investigation and Evidence Collected
Responding officers quickly searched the surrounding area and located Porter just a block away from the scene. He was taken into custody without incident.
During questioning, investigators learned that Porter and his girlfriend’s argument began days earlier on October 31, when she accused him of being unfaithful. The disagreement reportedly grew more heated over the following days, prompting her to ask her uncle for help.
Witnesses told detectives they heard the girlfriend confront Porter immediately after the shooting.
One witness recalled hearing her yell, “Why did you shoot my uncle?”
Porter allegedly responded, “I don’t give a f—,” or “I don’t f— care.”
Authorities recovered shell casings at the scene, confirming that the shots had been fired from inside the apartment. Detectives are continuing to examine the weapon believed to have been used in the killing.
Charges and Court Proceedings
The El Paso Police Department’s Crimes Against Persons Unit charged Porter with one count of murder in connection with Miguel Garcia’s death.
He was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility and is being held without bond pending his first court appearance. Investigators said additional charges could be considered if further evidence links Porter to premeditated intent.
Police confirmed that Garcia and his niece were attempting to help her safely remove Porter from the residence at the time of the shooting.
Reactions from the Community
Neighbors at the La Estancia complex said they were shocked to learn of the violence. Several residents told local outlets that they heard multiple gunshots and screams before officers swarmed the area.
One resident described the situation as “tragic,” saying, “It’s heartbreaking that something like this happened over an argument.”
The girlfriend, who has not been identified publicly, is reportedly cooperating with investigators. Police say she is receiving support services following the trauma of witnessing her uncle’s killing.
Background and Legal Context
Under Texas law, murder is a first-degree felony, punishable by up to life in prison. Prosecutors will likely consider aggravating factors, such as Porter’s alleged statement showing intent and lack of remorse, when pursuing sentencing.
Legal experts note that domestic disputes involving firearms often escalate rapidly, with fatal consequences. The El Paso District Attorney’s Office said this case highlights the dangers of domestic violence and the importance of intervention before conflicts turn violent.
Ongoing Developments
Investigators continue to piece together the sequence of events leading up to the shooting. They are reviewing phone records and surveillance footage from the apartment complex to establish the exact timeline.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the firearm used in the shooting was legally owned. The case remains under active investigation by the Crimes Against Persons Unit.
Conclusion
The tragic killing of Miguel Garcia has left family members and community residents devastated. What began as a domestic dispute between a young couple over alleged infidelity ended in a fatal act of violence. As the investigation continues, Jaeveyin Porter faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted.
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