Trial for Brutal Northside Gang 'Burrito' Shotgun Murder Begins Monday

SAN ANGELO – Jury selection is set to begin Monday in the brutal, gang related shotgun murder of Juan Quintana in north San Angelo in October of 2020. 

As we reported earlier, 33-year-old Abel Rueda was arrested and charged with blasting Quintana in the chest with a shotgun on Oct. 24, 2020.

According to previous reports and court documents, when the officers arrived on the scene that day, they found the body of Juan Quintana, 29, lying on his back in the front yard of a residence on the 600 block of E. 20th St. at around 5:39 a.m. Officers stated that the body was lying with the feet pointing to the west and the head to the north. 

Also around the body were a number of Laredo Taco Company burritos all around the yard. Police then went to the nearest Stripes located at 809 19th street.

While at Stripes the officers reviewed the surveillance video and spotted Quintana as well as a bald hispanic male inside the store. The man was later identified and found.

He told officers that he and Quintana were inside the Stripes at around 5:29 a.m. They went to the store  that night to buy burritos.

The man with Quintana told officers that he had noticed a man and woman walk into the store while they were inside. He told officers that it was very apparent that Quintana and the man knew each other.

The two then left the Stripes to eat their burritos on the concrete parking barrier. The man and woman from inside of the store sat in a black Cadillac CTS and watched the two men.

The man with Quintana told Quintana that they should leave and they did. They were then followed by the Cadillac throughout the streets of north San Angelo.

The driver of the Cadillac followed them from the Stripes to the 600 block of E. 20th. This is when the Cadillac finally pulled up to the two men walking. "What set do you claim?" said the driver to Quintana. Quintana responded to the driver by saying that he was with San Angelo. 

The man then pulled out a shotgun and shot Quintana in the upper right torso. The suspect then fled the scene.

Jury selection is set for 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 23.  Rueda's Defense Attorney is Rae Liefeste.  51st District Attorney John Best is prosecuting the case in District Judge Jay Weatherby's courtroom.  

Rueda is facing one count of Murder.  Murder is a first-degree felony, punished by 5-99 years, or life in prison and a fine not to exceed $10,000.