HOUSTON — We have an update on a crash and shooting in northwest Houston that we first told you about on November 15.
We've learned the identity of the man found dead inside a wrecked car riddled with bullet holes. There's also been an arrest in the case.
Editor's note: The above video originally aired on Nov. 15.
The owners of a business on 34th Street between Hempstead Road and Anotine Drive made the startling discovery when they arrived at work that Friday morning.
Houston Police later said the victim who had crashed through a fence had been shot multiple times. Micah Middleton, 28, was identified as the victim Tuesday. At that time, homicide detectives didn't have a motive or a suspect.
Further investigation led them to charge 25-year-old Jorge Valles with murder and tampering with evidence. He was arrested on Monday, November 25.
Detectives got their first break in the case when they located surveillance video that showed a man in a white pickup pull up next to Middleton followed by 11 gunshots. The shots were fired into the passenger side and Middleton was struck twice in the head, once in the shoulder and once in the upper arm.
More surveillance videos showed that Middleton and the suspect's vehicles were at Escandalo Sports Bar before the shooting. The victim arrived less than 45 minutes before the shooting. Valles had already been there for about four hours.
Investigators scrolled through about 2,500 images from Flock cameras that eventually helped them trace the vehicle to a Spring Branch apartment complex on Longpoint where Valles lived with his parents and sister.
They interviewed Valles who claimed he was assaulted by two guys inside a bathroom at Escandalo's, according to HPD. He admitted he waited in his truck until he saw Middleton leave. According to court documents, Valles confessed that he followed Middleton and shot him as he sat in his car. He said he lost the Glock he used because he was so drunk.
Detectives also interviewed Middleton's friend who confirmed he and another guy had gotten into a fight in the bathroom but said Middleton wasn't part of it. He identified a photo of Valles as the man they fought with and said he started the fight and claimed to be a member of Mexican Mafia "EM."
Valles was arrested Monday by HPD SWAT and NW Patrol Division Crime Suppression Team Officers.