Investigation continues: Palacios shot multiple times, according to autopsy report

Published 9:58 pm Tuesday, April 2, 2019

A preliminary autopsy report shows Javier Palacios was shot multiple times.

The body of Palacios, 22, was found in an alley in the 1000 block of Delaware Drive around 4 p.m. Monday. A known member of the Sureño 13 street gang, Palacios was sought by police on two warrants and was a suspect in the March 23 shooting of a man just two blocks from where his body was found. The victim in the March 23 shooting lost his leg, police said.

Palacios was known to police and was the subject of a news conference in late March. PAPD Det. Mike Hebert said Monday that police had hoped to capture him not only for the sake of the citizens but for his own safety as well.

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PAPD Det. L. Thomas said Palacios had both friends and enemies due to his past encounters and police are working to locate a suspect.

This marks the second confirmed homicide in the city. The first homicide was the death of Aletha Gonzalez, who was killed in her home in the 2100 block of Birch Street in Port Acres. Her boyfriend, Daniel Shackelford, was arrested for the crime.

Police are also continuing the investigation into the shooting death of Devonte Demarcus Gilliam, 19, who was shot while at an apartment at Cedar Ridge Apartments on March 13. It is still not determined if the shooting was accidental or intentional. Police speculate there were at least two other people in the apartment at 7631 Ninth Ave. when they received the call of a shooting.

If you have information about the shooting death of Javier Palacios or any other crime, call the Port Arthur Police Department at 983-8600 or Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas at 409-833-TIPS. You won’t be asked your name and you may be eligible for a cash reward. You can also make an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers by downloading the P3 Tips app on your smartphone.