In Irving, Texas, the search for a suspect in a shooting incident at a Chick-fil-A restaurant ended with the arrest of Oved Bernardo Mendoza Argueta, a 37-year-old El Salvadorian national. The incident, which took place on Wednesday afternoon, June 26, 2024, resulted in two fatalities and left the local community in shock.
The announcement of Mendoza Argueta’s arrest came early on Thursday morning by the Irving Police Department. Mendoza Argueta, who is in the United States unlawfully, is now facing charges of capital murder of multiple persons.
Currently, he is detained at the Irving City Jail, where he awaits arraignment. Mendoza Argueta is also under an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer, suggesting that ICE intends to take custody of him at a later time.
The fatal shooting transpired around 3:40 p.m. at the Chick-fil-A located on North MacArthur Boulevard. The victims, Patricia Portillo, 49, and Brayan Alexis Godoy, 31, were both employees of the restaurant. The police investigation suggests that this was a targeted incident rather than a random act of violence.
A representative for the Irving Police Department confirmed, “The suspect was taken into custody early this morning. Mendoza Argueta has an ICE hold, with the warrant agency being Immigration and Naturalization Service Dallas/Fort Worth.”
The suspect’s wife, also an employee at Chick-fil-A, witnessed the shooting and identified Mendoza Argueta as the shooter. After the incident, he fled, triggering a manhunt. The authorities subsequently released a picture of Mendoza Argueta and the 1997 Honda 4-door car he was last seen in, appealing for the public’s assistance in locating him.
During the manhunt, police reassured the public that there was no immediate danger. “This was a targeted incident,” an official stated. “This was not a random act of violence.” Television footage depicted police cars surrounding the Chick-fil-A and screens erected in front of some windows, with the parking lot cordoned off.
Witnesses inside the restaurant recounted the ensuing panic. Latina Williams, whose daughter was at the neighboring Taco Bell, shared the terrifying moments. “She called me, crying and scared,” Williams said. “She heard the commotion from the Chick-fil-A and didn’t know what was happening.”
The Irving Police Department is currently investigating the shooting, interviewing potential witnesses, and reviewing surveillance footage. “We are still trying to determine exactly what led to the shooting,” Officer Anthony Alexander stated. “We are conducting interviews with potential witnesses and gathering as much information as possible.”
On Thursday, the restaurant remained closed as the police investigation continued. The local community is now dealing with the shock of the violence that erupted in what is typically a place of family and community gatherings.
A memorial has been established outside the restaurant for the victims. The family of Patricia Portillo has set up a GoFundMe to aid with funeral expenses. “Our hearts are broken by the tragedy that occurred inside our restaurant Wednesday,” expressed the local Chick-fil-A owner. “We will miss our two team members dearly. Right now, we focus on providing care for our team and the victims’ families.”
