A 19-year-old man from Oregon has been sentenced to life in prison for shooting two teenagers, killing one and injuring the other, at a birthday party in Texas. The shooting occurred because the host of the party, who was related to the victims, believed the teens were being “disrespectful.”
The Tragic Incident
Derek Owen Cuellar-Torres, 19, was sentenced to life in a state correctional facility for the death of 17-year-old Jesus Copado-Oropeza. The sentence was handed down by Washington County Circuit Court Judge Ricardo Menchaca after Cuellar-Torres pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.
Due to Oregon’s juvenile justice laws, Cuellar-Torres will be eligible for parole after serving 15 years of his sentence.
The tragic shooting occurred on October 21, 2023, during a birthday celebration at a home in Hillsboro, Texas, a town about 65 miles southwest of Dallas.
The birthday girl’s brother, who was hosting the party, became upset with the victims—Copado-Oropeza and a 16-year-old male—believing they were being disrespectful. The host called his friends, including Cuellar-Torres, to confront the victims.
The Shooting
Cuellar-Torres and several others arrived at the party, with Cuellar-Torres and another member of the group armed with handguns. They hid in the shadows of the house while others lured the victims outside.
Once the victims were outside, Cuellar-Torres and the second shooter opened fire. Copado-Oropeza, the 17-year-old, was killed, while the other victim survived with non-fatal injuries. A total of 22 shell casings were recovered from the scene.
Investigation and Arrest
Cuellar-Torres and the other shooter were quickly identified and taken into custody. Both admitted to their involvement in the shooting. Investigators found text messages between Cuellar-Torres and his gang associates that suggested he was eager to commit a violent act before turning 18.
He was reportedly looking for an opportunity to “catch a body” and even bragged about the murder, stating that it could help him become a cartel assassin.
Cuellar-Torres was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the death of Jesus Copado-Oropeza and the injury of the other victim. His actions at the party, fueled by gang affiliation and a desire for violence, have left lasting consequences for the victims and their families.
Cuellar-Torres has now been transferred to the Oregon Department of Corrections to begin serving his sentence at the Oregon Youth Authority.
