HPD: Search underway for 6 men connected to execution of Houston mechanic before Christmas

Homicide detectives revealed they’re looking for six men and two Chevy trucks in connection to the execution of Luis Casillas.

HOUSTON — Police said they’re looking for six men in connection to the murder of a mechanic in north Houston.

During a press conference on Tuesday, investigators revealed they’re looking for two lowered Chevy Silverado pickup trucks, one maroon and one tan, as well as six men after Luis Casillas, 29, was shot and killed just days before Christmas. The six men are believed to be in their late teens or early 20s.

Family members said Casillas was executed in the parking lot of his shop. Detectives added that their focus is on upholding the integrity of their investigation.

“For Mr. Casillas’ family, we understand why they would’ve gone out to the public,” HPD Det. Blake Roberts said. “It’s our job as detectives to slow things down, to look into everything and every aspect of it and ultimately be able to hold the person responsible for this accountable.”

WATCH: Investigators give update on mechanic executed in N. Houston

Roberts also confirmed the men had a prior “engagement” with Casillas before he was shot and killed, and that the vehicle that he was working on led to an argument. The vehicle was at the shop before the shooting and is currently in police custody.

Meanwhile, family members continue looking for closure after Casillas was laid to rest last week.

‘Don’t want revenge’

“I don’t want revenge,” Luis’ sister, Sandy Casillas, said. “Nothing will bring my brother back. The only thing that we have is our memories and him in our heart.”

A makeshift memorial continues to grow outside the repair shop where he was killed as does the yearning for justice among his family.

“He begged for his life and they didn’t care,” Sandy Casillas said. “I don’t want anyone else to go through the same pain that we’re going through.”

Sandy Casillas and others joined the Houston Police Department and Crime Stoppers on Tuesday. They said they’re worried that something like this could happen again with six suspects still at large.

“They’re a danger to our community and I don’t want our community to be in that kind of danger,” Sandy Casillas said.

Evidence

Police said they’re speaking to witnesses in the complex where the shooting happened. They also said they have surveillance video from at least one business.

“I mean, we have an individual just before Christmas who’s working on another person’s vehicle and he’s ultimately executed in broad daylight in front of other people,” Roberts said. “Somebody knows something. Somebody said something. And we just ask you to come forward to assist in this investigation.”

There has been social media chatter about the potential identities of the suspects but police wouldn’t comment on that in order to uphold the integrity of their investigation.

Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest or charges in the case. You can report anything you know to Crime Stoppers directly at 713-222-TIPS or online through their website or mobile app.

What happened

Family members said Luis Casillas was executed over a $500 truck repair bill. It was money they said he planned to use for Christmas gifts for his two toddlers.

Witnesses said they saw him get into an argument when one of six men was supposed to pay for a $500 repair but refused. They said Casillas tried to get away before he was executed while begging for his life.

“He was a father, a son, a brother, an uncle,” Sandy Casillas said. “He didn’t deserve this. He begged them, ‘I have a family, just take whatever you want.’ And they said ‘no.'”

Luis’ family

Luis Casillas’ children are still too young to fully understand what happened to their father. They opened presents on Christmas without him.

“Santa showed up but daddy didn’t,” Sandy Casillas said. “We don’t have a holiday no more – we don’t know what the holidays are no more.”

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