A family gathering in El Paso, Texas, turned into a tragic and chaotic night when a teenage boy allegedly stabbed his stepfather to death after an argument.
It all started in the early hours of January 12, when police were called to a home following reports of a heated argument. Officers arrived at the scene around 3:30 a.m. but left soon after, finding no signs of injury. Just thirty minutes later, another call brought them back—this time, it was far more serious. A stabbing had been reported.
Raymundo Morales, 19, is accused of fatally stabbing his 40-year-old stepfather, Angel Martin Herrera, during an intense family dispute. Witnesses say the night had involved heavy drinking, which likely added fuel to the fire. According to court documents, tensions escalated after Morales got angry at someone during the gathering. Things took a violent turn when he reportedly choked and hit a woman at the party. Herrera, trying to intervene, confronted Morales, and the argument quickly spiraled out of control.
As the shouting continued, Morales allegedly grabbed a knife and stabbed Herrera in the neck. When police returned to the house, they found Herrera unresponsive. He was rushed to the hospital, but it was too late—he was pronounced dead.
At first, Morales’ mother tried to protect him, telling officers that she was the one who had stabbed Herrera. However, multiple witnesses told police they saw Morales commit the attack. Eventually, she admitted the truth, recanting her statement.
When police questioned Morales, he confessed, saying, “I killed my stepdad.” He claimed he acted because Herrera had pushed his mother, but witnesses at the scene disputed this, saying they never saw Herrera lay a hand on anyone.
Morales also acknowledged that his mother tried to take the blame to shield him, but he refused to let her do so. He was arrested and charged with murder and assaulting a family member by choking them. He is currently being held at the El Paso County Detention Facility on a $700,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for January 17.
The incident has left the community shaken and a family torn apart. What started as a simple gathering ended in tragedy, leaving unanswered questions about what led to such a heartbreaking outcome.
