A manhunt continues for a suspected gunman who opened fire at a sports bar in Liberty County, Texas, early Sunday morning, September 7, 2025, killing two people and injuring four others. The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office has identified the suspect as 32-year-old Jose Osman Aguilar Cantillano.
The shooting occurred at approximately 2:30 a.m. at the Alas Locas Sports Bar on County Road 5018 in the Colony Ridge community, about 45 miles northeast of Houston. According to investigators, Cantillano arrived at the establishment around midnight and ordered a beer, staying at the bar for approximately an hour and a half before leaving and later returning to carry out the attack.
Captain David Myers of the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office indicated that witnesses described the suspect as sitting quietly by himself, drinking, and paying in cash. Myers noted that during his time at the bar, Cantillano spoke with one person about an incident that occurred several months earlier, though that person was not involved in the previous incident.
After leaving the bar, Cantillano returned about 20 minutes later and began shooting at patrons on the outdoor patio area. Investigators determined that at least 20 shots were fired from what appeared to be two different guns, including a .40 or .45-caliber handgun. Some bullets penetrated the glass front doors of the establishment, though no one inside the bar was injured.
Alexis Jasso, 30, was pronounced dead at the scene. Francisco Navarrete, 43, was initially transported to a hospital by helicopter but died from his injuries on Monday, September 9. The four surviving victims include Sandra Patricia Valiz Adrian, 42, who was shot in her right hand; Aldegundo Alvarez Trujillo, 40, shot in his left hand; Jose Rafael Sanchez, 34, shot in his shoulder; and a 35-year-old man identified only as Gonzalez, who was shot in his leg. All four survivors have been treated and released from hospitals.
Following the shooting, Cantillano fled the scene in a white, full-size construction-style van with no side windows and a long scratch on the side. Witnesses reported that the van struck a maroon-colored vehicle as the suspect sped away from the scene. Authorities believe he may be traveling toward the New Orleans, Louisiana area or Atlanta, Georgia.
On Monday, September 9, investigators executed a search warrant at Cantillano’s home, which is located near the sports bar. While Cantillano was not found during the initial search, deputies returned later the same day and arrested his wife, 23-year-old Alejandra Marie Valdez Montoya, on charges of tampering with evidence. She was taken to the Liberty County Jail.
The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office has released surveillance images showing Cantillano at the sports bar during the time of the shooting, as well as images of the white van believed to be his getaway vehicle. The security footage, which captured the entire incident, is being reviewed by investigators along with Texas Rangers from the Department of Public Safety.
This incident marks the second mass shooting at a bar in the greater Houston metropolitan area in 2025. On March 23, six people were shot at the Latinas Sports Bar in southwest Houston, with four critically injured. Police arrested Jose Miguel Briceno, a 25-year-old Venezuelan national, in connection with that shooting and charged him with aggravated assault mass shooting. A second suspect in the March incident remains at large and is believed to have fled to Mexico.
Federal prosecutors later indicated that Briceno was among 16 foreign nationals indicted on drug trafficking and weapons charges as part of an operation targeting Venezuelan nationals associated with the Anti-Tren transnational criminal organization. The March shooting was allegedly part of a turf war between Anti-Tren and TdA gangs.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about Cantillano’s whereabouts to contact the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office at 936-336-4500 or their local law enforcement agency. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 800-392-7867. Officials emphasize that Cantillano should be considered armed and dangerous.
