Just before 10 p.m. Wednesday, the quiet of Mesquite’s Rodeo Center Boulevard was shattered when a 38‑year‑old man was found shot to death in a business parking lot, city police say. That man, identified by authorities as Jose Rodriguez Jaquez, later died at a hospital from his injuries. The Mesquite Police Department says the case is now an active homicide investigation that has left a neighborhood shaken and a community seeking answers.
Officers were called to the 300 block of Rodeo Center Boulevard around 9:51 p.m. on Feb. 4, 2026 after multiple 9‑1‑1 callers reported someone lying on the ground with a gunshot wound. First responders immediately gave medical aid, then rushed Jaquez to a nearby hospital. He died from those injuries soon after arrival.
Witnesses at the scene told police they saw a vehicle speeding away right after the shooting. Using that description, officers quickly tracked down the car nearby and pulled it over. The driver, 35‑year‑old Brian Maldonado of Mesquite, was taken into custody for a minor traffic violation — driving without a front license plate.
Detectives learned more as the investigation unfolded. After evidence was reviewed and interviews conducted, police upgraded Maldonado’s charges to include murder in connection with Jaquez’s death. He now faces that charge as the case continues.
Friends and neighbors described Jaquez as someone familiar in the community, leaving many grieving and searching for what brought him out that night. Local law enforcement has not released details about a possible motive, saying they are following leads and piecing together the timeline.
Mesquite police are urging anyone with information to come forward. Tips and details that might help the investigation can be sent to majorcrimes@mesquitepolice.org or shared by calling 972‑216‑6237. Authorities say no further details are available yet as detectives continue their work.
The shooting marks another violent incident in Mesquite this year, adding urgency to local efforts to improve community safety and understanding why these tragedies occur. Investigators promise updates as more facts emerge.
