COLDSPRING — A 24-year-old San Jacinto County resident pleaded guilty Feb. 25 to manslaughter in connection with the March 2023 death of Sean Velasquez, 19.
Joshua Escobar, who was the subject of a manhunt following the shooting, was sentenced to 13 years in prison.
According to police reports, Velasquez was shot twice at a residence in the 100 block of Williamson Lane in the Willis area of San Jacinto County.
San Jacinto County deputies and investigators immediately responded to the scene. A deputy assigned to the Special Operations Division was first on scene and entered the residence.
Reports indicate the deputy located the victim lying flat on a bed in the bedroom with a large amount of blood present, found there was no pulse, and the victim was not breathing.
Officials found at least two gunshot wounds on the victim.
Investigators from the Criminal Investigations Division arrived and began interviewing the female who reported the crime, who later was transported to the Sheriff’s Office for questioning and forensic analysis.
The San Jacinto County District Attorney’s Office assisted the Criminal Investigation Division and Special Operations Division with the investigation.
Once Escobar was identified as a suspect, police began a search in San Jacinto and surrounding counties. However, the next day, Escobar turned himself into the Sheriff’s Office and was charged with murder.
Reports show the shooting was the result of the relationship between Escobar, Velasquez and the witness.
