A Texas grandfather who was “crazy for his grandkids” was killed after being caught in the crossfire of a gunfight while purchasing lunch at a popular fast-food restaurant while his family waited outside.
Jorge Arbaiza, 61, was shot multiple times at a Houston McDonald’s restaurant on Sunday, according to a statement from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Arbaiza was ordering Happy Meals for his two grandchildren when a gunfight between two groups of men broke out, resulting in shots fired inside a restaurant packed with customers and their children, according to authorities.
Teresa, Arbaiza’s wife of nearly 40 years, witnessed the incident while waiting in the car with their two children, according to KHOU 11.
“I couldn’t leave the children alone. Teresa told KHOU 11, “I couldn’t go inside.” “The kids were crying, and they were scared.”
Teresa noticed a man with a gun in her rearview mirror seconds before she heard shots fired. Teresa called her husband’s cellphone when she didn’t see him leaving the restaurant.
“I am dying. Teresa told KHOU 11 that Arbaiza’s last words were, “I’m going to die.”
Arbaiza was flown by medical helicopter to a hospital, where he died. According to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, in his final moments, Arbaiza made the sign of the cross and began praying.
Gonzalez described the murder as “senseless” in a tweet posted to his X account.
“We are deeply saddened by this senseless violence that resulted in a tragic loss of life,” Stuart Brown, the Houston McDonald’s owner and operator, told Fox News Digital in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the victim’s family, and we are assisting the local police department in any way that we can.”
One of the men involved in the shooting was also shot and transported to a hospital, where he was interviewed by detectives. Investigators used security camera footage to locate a vehicle and identified several suspects in the brawl.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office arrested Antonio Ridge on Thursday and charged him with Arbaiza’s murder, according to Gonzalez. Ridge is being held at the Harris County Jail.
Authorities also revealed that the handgun used in the shooting was modified with a “Glock switch,” which allows the user to convert the semi-automatic gun into an automatic weapon.
In honor of Arbaiza’s life, Gonzalez has pledged his support for a Texas bill that would criminalize the possession and use of modified handguns.
“These switches are a serious threat to our community and law enforcement,” Gonzalez wrote on social media. “Let’s get this [bill] passed and named in honor of Mr. Arbaiza.”
