HOUSTON – A second man has been charged in connection with a deadly shootout at a McDonald’s in west Harris County that claimed the life of a grandfather.
Jorge Rolando Arbaiza, 61, was fatally struck during a gang fight inside the fast-food restaurant near West Little York and North Fry Road on March 16. Arbaiza was an innocent bystander who was picking up Happy Meals for his grandchildren.
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Paul Whitley, 19, identified as one of the alleged shooters, was taken into custody Monday and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was taken into custody by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Violent Criminals Apprehension Team.
The gunman who reportedly delivered the fatal blow to Arbaiza was also arrested and identified as 24-year-old Antoine Leandre Ridge.
According to court records, Ridge also has a pending warrant for an aggravated assault charge in Harris County. In that case, he allegedly displayed a firearm while threatening a person he was in a dating relationship with.
In an interview with Arbaiza’s wife, Teresa told KPRC 2′s Rilwan Balogun that she was waiting in the parking lot with two of their grandchildren when the shooting occurred. She recalled calling her husband in a panic and hearing him say, “I’m dying,” before the line went silent.
The couple had been married for nearly 40 years and were preparing to celebrate their anniversary.
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The Harris County Sheriff’s Office previously reported that the individuals involved in the fight were between 16 and 21 years old. One other person was shot during the incident but survived.