A Texas grandfather, Jorge Arbaiza, got shot and killed while buying Happy Meals for his family at a McDonald’s in Katy, Texas. The shooting happened just after 5 p.m. on March 16. Arbaiza, 61, stood as an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire of an alleged gang-related dispute. Gunfire hit him five times before he collapsed to the floor. In his final moments, Arbaiza made the sign of the cross on his chest and prayed as he passed away. This simple, powerful gesture moved those who heard about it.
A Family’s Devastating Loss
At the time of the shooting, Arbaiza’s wife, Teresa, was on the phone with him. She recalled hearing him say, “I’m dying, I’m going to die.” Teresa was in the car with their grandchildren, who were waiting for their Happy Meals. She couldn’t leave them to go inside and check on her husband. As she sat in the car, she watched a man walk into the McDonald’s with a gun. Then, people ran out of the restaurant in a panic. Teresa couldn’t go inside to help.
Chaos and Fear at McDonald’s
The shooting happened in a busy McDonald’s during dinner time, and several children witnessed the chaos. Thankfully, no children suffered physical harm, but the trauma of what they saw will stay with them. Arbaiza became the only person killed in the shooting. A 25-year-old man also got shot but is expected to recover. Authorities remain unsure if he was involved in the altercation. When emergency responders arrived, they airlifted Arbaiza to the hospital. Despite their efforts to save him, he died from his injuries shortly after reaching the hospital.
Authorities Make an Arrest after McDonald’s shooting
The investigation quickly identified Antoine Ridge, 24, as the shooting suspect. Authorities arrested him and charged him with murder. Ridge has a long criminal history, with prior arrests for aggravated assault, burglary, and fraud. At the time of the shooting, he already faced charges for reckless driving and assault against a family member. Ridge went into jail on a $1 million bond. Although he waived his right to appear in court for his bond hearing, he will appear in court again soon.
Community in Shock after Texas Grandfather was Killed
Arbaiza’s family feels heartbroken. His children started a GoFundMe campaign to support their mother, Teresa. “Our family is devastated and changed forever.” They shared that their father’s love for his grandchildren was unconditional. Teresa described him as “crazy” for his grandkids, showing how deeply he cared for them. Arbaiza and Teresa married 39 years ago. The family faces an unimaginable blow with the loss of such a loving father and grandfather.
Ongoing Investigation
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office, along with other specialized teams, continues to investigate the case. They believe two groups of men were involved in the shooting. The men left the scene in two separate cars: a maroon SUV and a white sedan. Authorities are working hard to gather more details. The investigation is still ongoing, but Ridge’s arrest has brought some closure to Arbaiza’s family.
