A 25-year-old man now faces a capital murder charge in connection with the September 2024 shooting death of his uncle, his uncle’s girlfriend and the couple’s dog at a parking lot near Mackenzie Park.
Joziah Aleman appeared in the 364th District Court where he was arraigned on the new charge charging him with capital murder in the Sept. 10, 2024 shooting deaths of 55-year-old Angel Aleman, 47-year-old Lydia Hernandez and their dog, “Monster.”
During the hearing, prosecutor Courtney Boyd told the court that the case was a “mini-cap,” meaning the Lubbock County District Attorney’s Office will not seek the death penalty. Instead, if a jury convicts Aleman of the charge, he will be automatically sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Aleman was initially charged with two counts of murder, which carries a punishment of five years to life in prison and a count of animal cruelty, which carries a punishment of two to 10 years in prison.
He has been held at the Lubbock County Detention Center since his Sept. 14, 2024 arrest, was one of two people charged in the case.
His brother, 28-year-old Justin Aleman, appeared April 10 in the 364th District Court and pleaded guilty to two counts of murder and a count of animal cruelty in exchange for two, 50-year prison sentences and a 10-year prison sentence that will run concurrently.
Investigating a deadly shooting in Mackenzie Park
The brothers’ charges stem from a Lubbock Metropolitan Special Crimes Unit investigation that began after Lubbock police officers responded to a shots-fired call about 8:40 a.m. in the 300 block of Cesar E. Chaves Drive in Mackenzie Park.
Responding officers found Angel Aleman, Hernandez and their dog suffering gunshot wounds.
Aleman and the dog were pronounced dead at the scene. Hernandez was taken by ambulance to University Medical Center where she died.
Witnesses at the scene told investigators that two vehicles – a white SUV and a gray SUV – left the scene immediately after the shooting, according to an arrest affidavit.
Investigators also obtained video from nearby security cameras that caught the shooting.
The video appears to show Hernandez and Aleman arriving in a vehicle and walking around.
Moments later, a gray SUV arrived from the west and drove toward the couple’s vehicle, stopping suddenly next to it.
The video shows two people approaching Aleman and Hernandez. During the encounter, one person is seen falling to the ground. A second person is seen running toward the first person before also falling to the ground.
Meanwhile, the other people in the video can be seen fleeing the scene in separate vehicles.
The white SUV could be seen leaving the scene toward I-27 and the gray SUV speeds away westbound, according to the document.
Investigators collected two weapons of the same caliber at the scene. Investigators believe they were used in the shooting, the affidavit states.
An anonymous caller reportedly left a tip for investigators identifying Justin Aleman as the shooter.
Investigators learned that Justin Aleman drove a white Chevrolet Traverse, which police found at his home.
Meanwhile, investigators learned that Joziah Aleman drove a gray Hyundai Santa Fe.
Investigators spoke with the brothers separately.
Justin Aleman reportedly confirmed that his vehicle was the same white SUV seen in the security camera video. He also reportedly admitted to being at the scene during the shooting, the affidavit states.
However, the interview concluded after he asked for an attorney.
Meanwhile, Joziah Aleman told investors that he drove to the park after his brother called him. He said he arrived prepared to fight their uncle, Angel.
However, the warrant does not disclose more information about the dispute between the brothers and their uncle.
During the interview, Joziah reportedly made statements indicating that his brother shot their uncle, Hernandez and their dog. His interview with detectives also ended after he asked for an attorney.
Investigators also obtained a statement from a witness who was not identified in the affidavit, who said Justin Aleman admitted to shooting his uncle and Hernandez.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Co-defendant in 2024 double homicide now charged with capital murder
Reporting by Gabriel Monte, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
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