The family of 18-year-old Emmanuel Menchaca is speaking out this morning, demanding justice after the recent high school graduate was shot three times by a neighbor outside his home while burying his pet guinea pig.
A press conference happened today at 11 a.m., where family members, supporters, and immigrant rights advocates called for answers from the Houston Police Department.
The shooting occurred shortly after midnight on July 25. Emmanuel had just returned home from work when he went to bury his pet guinea pig, Cookie, on the side of the house.
According to his family, Emmanuel and his 12-year-old brother were walking back to the driveway when a neighbor opened fire without warning.
Andrea Menchaca says her son Emmanuel has spent much of the last two weeks fighting for his life in the ICU.
“He was intubated, extubated, and then re-intubated again. Honestly, I’ve lost track of the days. Everything has blurred together.”
She says Emmanuel suffered a lacerated liver, lung damage, a punctured diaphragm, and severe respiratory distress that kept him under intensive care longer than expected.
“He’s gone through so much. No child deserves to be shot outside their own home, especially not while trying to bury a pet.”
Andrea says what Emmanuel was doing that night says everything about who he is.
“He didn’t just throw his guinea pig away. He wanted to give Cookie a proper burial. That shows you the kind of heart he has. The kind of values we raised him with.”
But now, she says, home no longer feels like home.
“We’ve been displaced. We don’t feel safe going back. And the worst part is, the person who did this is still there.”
Emmanuel Menchaca’s grandmother, Ms. Tina, held back tears as she addressed the crowd Monday morning.
“This is something no family ever expects, or wants to go through. It’s been very hard for us.”
She described Emmanuel as a kind, hard-working young man who had just graduated from high school and was preparing for college.
“He was trying to be a good citizen. He wasn’t involved with bad people. He wasn’t doing anything illegal. He was at home and this should’ve never happened.”
She says the entire family has been deeply affected, especially Emmanuel’s younger brother, who witnessed the shooting.
“We’re dealing with emotional trauma. But we’re also trying to stay strong. We’re here to support my daughter and my grandson. And all we want now is justice.”
She ended her statement with a simple but emotional plea: “I hope this never happens to anyone else. I just want justice for my grandson. That’s all I want.”
FIRST REPORT: Man shot while burying family pet in southeast Houston
The family says eyewitness testimony and surveillance video show the incident. Yet, as of Monday morning, no arrests have been made, and no one has been questioned.
They say they feel ignored by the justice system and today’s press conference is meant to raise public pressure.
“He was doing nothing wrong,” said César Espinosa, Executive Director of FIEL Houston. “He was in his own yard, with his little brother, burying a pet. And now he’s fighting to recover while the person who shot him is still free.”
Emmanuel Menchaca graduated this summer with the Class of 2025. He had been working long hours at a warehouse job to save up for a truck before college. His family describes him as kind, energetic, and always willing to help, especially at church and at home.
His aunt shared in a public post:
“Emmanuel is truly a kind soul. He’s protective of his younger cousins. He’s the kind of teen we all hope our kids grow up to be.”
FIEL and the Menchaca family are asking for a full investigation and swift action from HPD. They’re also calling on elected officials and city leaders to speak up.
The hashtag #JusticeForEmmanuel is now circulating across social media.
KPRC 2 is on scene and will update this article with new information, interviews, and video from today’s press conference.
