Carlos Gonzalez Allegedly Shot By Neighbor Who Told Family ‘You Mexicans Shouldn’t Be Here’

Carlos Gonzalez, 49, was killed during a family party that took place in his Oak Cliff home on May 14.

At around 1:20 a.m., police determined Gonzalez was shot and killed by neighbor Lonnie Holcombe, 54, who has since been arrested and charged with murder.

According to Fox 4, Gonzalez’s family explained that Saturday, May 13, started out as a birthday party for his 6-year-old grandchild. Later in the night, a fight broke out after Holcombe fired a BB gun at Gonzalez’s son’s truck, arguing over the family’s “loud music.”

During a physical altercation, Holcombe shot and killed Gonzalez — but the family says the 54-year-old had harassed them for a year beforehand.

Holcombe’s complaints over “loud music” led to Gonzalez’s tragic death

On May 13, Gonzalez and his family were celebrating his grandson’s birthday party, which extended past midnight. After 1 a.m., the 49-year-old’s son arrived at the family’s home in a pickup truck playing music. According to police, Holcombe fired shots with his BB gun at the truck and struck Gonzalez’s son, too.

The family claims they stepped outside to intervene and confronted Holcombe, asking: “What is the problem? What do you need? What do you want us to do? The music is not loud anymore.”

A physical fight ensued, culminating in Holcombe shooting Gonzalez in the chest with a handgun. He was transported to Methodist Central Hospital, where he died.

Holcombe, who has been arrested and charged with Gonzalez’s murder, remains in custody at Dallas County Jail. As per the affidavit, he told police that the Gonzalez family was “often playing loud music” and [his neighbors] were “interfering with his life.”

Meanwhile, the victim’s daughter, Elizabeth Gonzalez, told Univision, “We were a united family… until they took his life.” She also described the crime scene, explaining, “He shot him and [raised the gun] as if he had triumphed.”

The victim’s other daughter, Iveth Gonzalez, added that Holcombe had “hit her father” and also “threw her to the floor” during the altercation before Gonzalez’s death.

According to the family, the neighbor’s harassment had gone on for over a year

Iveth Gonzalez recalled to Univision how Holcombe allegedly once told them, “You guys are Mexican. What are you doing here? You’re not from here.”

Meanwhile, a translator for the family explained to Fox how the neighbor told them: “You Mexicans shouldn’t be here. You Mexicans shouldn’t be here. You need to go back.”

In fact, according to the family, they were subject to Holcombe’s harassment for a year before Gonzalez’s death. The victim’s children allegedly informed the police of Holcombe’s harassment. This included Holcombe throwing objects at the family, insulting them, and hurling racist remarks.

The family says they lived in fear.

Now, Gonzalez’s family finds respite in remembering him as a “good person,” “happy,” and a “music lover.” Still, they hope to find justice for their father as Holcombe is held on $250,000 bond.

Gonzalez’s niece Abigail Sanchez Ramirez has now set up a GoFundMe to help the Gonzalez family with funeral expenses. Ramirez wrote on the page, “[They] lost a father, husband and a protector due to racism.”

She continued, “Carlos was hardworking and wanted a good life for his children and grandchildren here in the United States. To protect his family he lost his life at the hands of a racist American.”