A high-profile businessman and appointee of Texas Governor Greg Abbott was fatally shot in a McAllen business over the weekend, sparking a homicide investigation in the Rio Grande Valley. The victim, identified as Eddy Betancourt, 61, was a notable contractor and a member of the Texas Facilities Commission.
Details of the Incident
McAllen police responded to a 911 call on Saturday afternoon, which reported a man found unresponsive on the floor of a business located on the 800 block of North Ware Road. Upon their arrival, law enforcement found Betancourt without a pulse and unresponsive.
Authorities indicated that he had sustained a gunshot wound, leading to his immediate declaration of death at the scene. Police officials confirmed that this incident is being treated as a homicide and are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Suspect Identified
On Sunday, law enforcement identified Reynaldo Mata-Rios, 60, as the primary suspect in the shooting. A judge from the McAllen Municipal Court issued a warrant for Mata-Rios, charging him with murder, a first-degree felony. Reports from police indicated that Mata-Rios expressed an intention to surrender to authorities but had not done so by Sunday afternoon.
Physical descriptions provided by the police note that Mata-Rios is approximately 6 feet tall and weighs around 195 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
About Eddy Betancourt
Eddy Betancourt held significant influence both within the state government and the South Texas business community. His role as an appointee to the Texas Facilities Commission began in 2020, where he oversaw the construction and maintenance of state-owned buildings. In 2023, he was reappointed for a term slated to continue until 2029.
In addition to his governmental duties, Betancourt served as president of R&B General Construction Co. Inc., was co-owner and president of National Tire and Wheel LLC, and acted as a general retail partner manager for E2H Investment. His community involvement extended to serving on the Hidalgo County Appraisal District Board of Directors and affiliations with the McAllen Board of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors.
Investigation Status
As the investigation continues, police have revealed that no motive for the shooting has been disclosed. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether there was any prior relationship between Betancourt and Mata-Rios. The authorities are expected to provide updates as the investigation progresses.
The entire community is on alert as law enforcement seeks to bring closure to this tragic event.