PRESS CONFERENCE: Police Chief Speaks Over Mother's Day Murder

SAN ANGELO, TX — Three suspects, including one of the shooting victims, have been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Jaborien Cook during a social gathering early Sunday in San Angelo, police said Thursday. 

San Angelo police were called to the 600 block of East 44th Street about 1:20 a.m. May 10 on a report of a shooting. Officers found two people wounded by gunfire. Both were taken to Shannon Medical Center. 

Cook later died of his injuries at the hospital. A 17-year-old girl who was also struck by gunfire was treated and is expected to recover, San Angelo Police Chief Travis Griffith said during a Thursday press conference. 

While officers were still at the scene, they received reports of a third gunshot victim at the hospital. Zachary Garza, 21, was found suffering from a gunshot wound and was later flown to a Lubbock hospital for treatment. 

Investigators determined the shooting stemmed from an altercation at the gathering. Three suspects were identified. 

A 16-year-old boy was taken into custody Sunday and charged with murder. Garza was arrested Wednesday afternoon after his release from the Lubbock hospital. Nickolai Sanchez, 18, was arrested Wednesday by Amarillo police. 

All three face murder charges. Police said they do not believe any other suspects were involved. 

San Angelo police officials said some of those involved have gang affiliations, but they have not determined whether the shooting was gang-related. Details about who fired shots or the exact roles of each suspect were not released. 

“Our prayers are with the victims’ family,” the police chief said. “This is so difficult on Mother’s Day. It just hurts to even think about.”

The chief thanked the San Angelo Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division and Special Operations Unit, as well as the Amarillo Police Department, Texas Rangers, University Medical Center Police Department, and six Texas Department of Public Safety troopers who were assisting in San Angelo that night as part of a staffing partnership. 

Police described the first four-and-a-half months of 2026 as busy but noted overall crime in San Angelo dropped about 3% from 2024 to 2025. Homicides typically range from three to six per year in the city. 

The chief urged anyone involved in crime to reconsider, saying the department would continue partnering with other agencies to maintain proactive policing.

No further details about the investigation were released.