McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man who shot and killed another man in downtown McAllen in 2022 following a fight outside a bar has pleaded guilty to murder, court records show.
Joel Gonzalez Jr. was sentenced to 38 years in prison on Friday. Court records show Gonzalez was given jail credit for more than three years.
(Source: Hidalgo County jail records)
Six others are accused of playing a part in the shooting that killed 22-year-old Ryan Michael Serna of Donna on Oct. 2, 2022.
McAllen police say the shooting originated at No Manches Wuey, a downtown McAllen bar, located at the 200 Block of 17th Street, according to a previous ValleyCentral report.
Serna died days after the shooting on Oct. 6, 2022.
Humberto Ojeda Jr., Naila Reyes, Alejandro Gomez, Avan Mendoza and Viviana Gomez are listed as co-defendants in the case, and are all facing murder charges.
Bryan Vasquez has been charged with attempted murder.
Alejandro Gomez, Humberto Ojeda Jr., Bryan Vasquez, Naila Reyes and Viviana Gomez are scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on Jan. 30, 2026.
Avan Mendoza’s trial on merits is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2026.
Previous Coverage
PD: One in custody after McAllen shooting
Three arrested, three wanted after shooting in McAllen, police say
2 more charged, 1 remains wanted in downtown McAllen shooting
Two more arrested in connection to McAllen shooting; victim dies
Two more arrested; Records provide new details in fatal McAllen shooting
Downtown McAllen shooting investigation — at a glance
Three of nine suspects charged with murder in downtown McAllen shooting
