Katy, TX – A violent altercation at a McDonald’s in Katy turned deadly after gunfire erupted between two groups of young individuals, leaving 61-year-old Jorge Arbaiza dead and a 26-year-old man injured. Authorities are still searching for the shooters, and as the investigation unfolds, new details paint a clearer picture of what led to the tragic incident.
The shooting occurred Sunday evening, March 16, 2025, at the McDonald’s located at 6110 N Fry Rd, near W. Little York. Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to reports of gunfire and arrived to find two people injured, one critically.
Authorities say the violence stemmed from a physical altercation between two groups of young individuals, aged approximately 16 to 20. Initial reports suggest that one group, consisting of six to seven teenagers, was already inside the restaurant ordering food when another group of two to three people entered. A fistfight broke out inside the McDonald’s, escalating rapidly when at least two individuals pulled out firearms and began shooting.
Gunfire rang out both inside and outside the restaurant, terrifying customers, including several children, who scrambled for safety.
Victims: An Innocent Bystander and a Wounded Participant
Among those struck by bullets was Jorge Arbaiza, a 61-year-old grandfather, who had gone inside McDonald’s to pick up food for his grandchildren while they waited in the car with his wife.
As chaos erupted, his wife noticed people running out of the restaurant but never saw him among them. Concerned, she called his phone. To her horror, he answered and told her he was dying.
Arbaiza had been shot multiple times. He was airlifted to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. His family is now mourning an unimaginable loss.
The second victim, a 26-year-old man, was shot while trying to exit the restaurant. While his exact involvement in the fight remains unclear, he survived and is expected to recover after being transported by ambulance to a hospital.
Investigators Track Down Leads but No Arrests Yet
Authorities say the suspects fled the scene in two separate vehicles:
- A maroon SUV
- A white sedan
Detectives have since located one of the suspect vehicles and identified several individuals involved in the altercation. However, the actual shooters remain unidentified and at large.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez has condemned the incident as “senseless violence”, emphasizing the recklessness of opening fire inside a crowded restaurant. He confirmed that surveillance footage is being reviewed, and authorities are working to confirm the identities of those responsible for the gunfire.
Community Outrage and Pleas for Justice
The tragedy has shaken the Katy community, with many expressing outrage that a family outing turned deadly over a senseless altercation. Arbaiza’s family is devastated, remembering him as a loving grandfather who adored his grandchildren and was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the shooters or their whereabouts to come forward.
How to Help the Investigation
If you have any information about this case, please contact:
- Harris County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit at 713-274-9100
- Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477) (Callers can remain anonymous)
As the investigation continues, the community is left mourning a life lost too soon and awaiting justice for the senseless violence that unfolded in what should have been a routine stop for a family meal.
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