A backyard birthday celebration in southeast Fort Worth ended in deadly gunfire early Sunday after an argument escalated into a physical fight, leaving two men dead and two others injured. A 23-year-old man has since been arrested and charged with capital murder, police said.
The shooting happened around 4 a.m. Sept. 20 in the 4300 block of Martin Street. Investigators said the incident began with an argument involving Cesar Sebastian Palomo and his girlfriend during the gathering.
According to the arrest affidavit, the dispute continued after Palomo returned to the property. The woman’s brother, 24-year-old Jhovanie Julian Guerrero, confronted Palomo, and the two men became involved in a physical fight.
Investigators allege that Palomo then pulled out a handgun and began firing. Four men were ultimately struck by gunfire during the confrontation.
Guerrero was killed in the shooting. Police said he suffered a gunshot wound to the neck and was pronounced dead at the scene. Another man, identified as 25-year-old Jose Alejandro Valladolid, also died after being shot in the back of the head.
The other two people who were wounded were taken to JPS Hospital for treatment. Palomo was among those injured, according to the investigation. Earlier police statements said the shooting involved two armed men exchanging gunfire after the initial confrontation at the gathering.
The arrest affidavit also describes another attempt to stop the violence. Investigators said a black-and-gold handgun belonging to Guerrero was picked up after it fell to the ground, and another person fired at Palomo in an effort to prevent him from continuing to shoot.
The case now centers on the events leading up to the shooting and the actions of those involved. Palomo is facing a capital murder charge in connection with the deaths. The allegations in the arrest affidavit are part of the criminal case, and the charge itself does not establish guilt.
Fort Worth police continue to investigate the shooting and have asked anyone with information about what happened at the gathering to contact investigators.
