In a tragic incident in southeast Houston, Texas, an 18-year-old named Emmanuel Menchaca was shot in his backyard while burying his pet guinea pig, “Cookie,” in the early hours of July 17, 2025. The shooting occurred around 12:30 a.m. in the 7700 block of Belgard Street, north of Bellfort Avenue, as Emmanuel and his 12-year-old brother were laying their beloved pet to rest.

Emmanuel had just returned home from work when he and his younger sibling began digging a grave for Cookie, who had died earlier that day. According to his mother, Andrea Menchaca, the brothers were on their own property and had not trespassed or engaged with anyone else. Suddenly, three gunshots rang out, and Emmanuel was struck in the torso, sustaining severe injuries to his liver, lung, and diaphragm.

Bleeding heavily, Emmanuel stumbled into his home and reached his parents’ bedroom, where he collapsed and said, “Mom, I love you. Dad, I love you. I’m not going to make it.” He was rushed to Ben Taub Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery and remains in the Intensive Care Unit, fighting for his life. His family describes his survival as a miracle, but his recovery is ongoing and uncertain.

Surveillance footage captured the harrowing moments after the shooting, showing Emmanuel falling to the ground and struggling to reach the house as his younger brother ran for safety. The 12-year-old, who witnessed the incident, told his family that the shooter was a relative of their neighbor. Despite this account and the video evidence, no arrests have been made as of July 30, 2025. Andrea Menchaca has expressed frustration with the Houston Police Department’s handling of the case, noting that officers did not collect bullet casings or conduct gunshot residue tests on potential suspects. She questions the lack of charges, stating, “Why hasn’t this man been charged? Why wasn’t he taken into custody?”

The Houston Police Department responded to the scene and surrounded the neighbor’s home, ordering occupants to exit, which they did peacefully. Authorities have interviewed individuals in the neighbor’s residence, but no one has been named as a suspect or charged in connection with the shooting. Police have suggested that the incident may have stemmed from a dispute, but Andrea insists there was no prior conflict or interaction between her son and the neighbor.

The Menchaca family is demanding justice, emphasizing that Emmanuel was simply mourning his pet on their own property when the unprovoked attack occurred. “Your home is supposed to be a safe haven, and they took that away that night,” Andrea told reporters, adding that she now fears returning to her home. Community members, including local Reddit users, have expressed outrage over the incident, with some calling the shooter a “trigger-happy idiot” and questioning how such violence could be justified.

The motive for the shooting remains unclear, and the investigation is ongoing. The family continues to seek answers and accountability, hoping for justice as Emmanuel battles to recover from his life-threatening injuries.