Emiliano Zapatero was a sixteen year old living in Texas when he would murder two men
According to court documents Emiliano Zapatero was involved in a struggle with the two victims over a handgun. When Emiliano gained control of the firearm he would fire off thirteen shots striking the two victims in the head. The victims would be rushed to the hospital where they would die from their injuries
Emiliano Zapatero would be arrested days later. Due to his age at the time of the double murder Zapatero would be tried as an adult. At trial he would be convicted and sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for forty years
Emiliano Zapatero Case
Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced today that Emiliano Miguel Zapatero, now 17, of McKinney, was convicted of Capital Murder for the killing of two men in McKinney in late 2024. Because Zapatero was under the age of 18 at the time of the offense, Texas law required a sentence of life imprisonment with parole eligibility after 40 calendar years.
The Crime
On November 9, 2024, officers with the McKinney Police Department responded to a shooting call near Chestnut Street in McKinney. Upon arrival, officers found two victims suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victims were transferred to Medical City McKinney, where they were later pronounced deceased.
The Investigation
Investigators processed the crime scene and collected evidence, including surveillance footage of the incident. The video showed Zapatero repeatedly attempting to obtain a firearm from another person at the scene. After gaining control of the weapon, Zapatero shot the two victims as they attempted to flee. He fired a total of 13 shots, then struck both men in the head with the firearm before fleeing. Detectives Monte Robertson and Mark Brydges led the investigation and located and arrested Zapatero several days later.
Verdict and Sentence
Emiliano Zapatero was 16 years old at the time of the offense but was certified to stand trial as an adult due to the seriousness of the crime. After reviewing the video evidence and hearing testimony from witnesses, the jury convicted Zapatero of Capital Murder. Judge Andrea Thompson imposed the automatic life sentence required by Texas law for a certified juvenile offender. Because the defendant was under 18 at the time of the offense, the sentence includes parole eligibility after serving 40 calendar years, with no reduction for good-conduct time.
Statement from DA Greg Willis
“This conviction and life sentence deliver accountability for the brutal murder of two men. No family should have to bury loved ones because of this kind of senseless violence. Our thoughts remain with the victims’ families as they continue to grieve,” stated Willis after sentencing.
Prosecution Team
Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Alex Oestreich and Ann Mathew prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigator Jeremy Bigham.
Emiliano Zapatero News
A North Texas 17-year-old has been sentenced to life in prison for killing two men during a 2024 shooting in McKinney, the Collin County District Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday.
Emiliano Zapatero was convicted of capital murder. Zapatero was 16 years old at the time of the shooting.
Because he was under the age of 18 at the time, Texas law required Zapatero be sentenced to life in prison with parole eligibility after 40 years. He was certified to stand trial as an adult because of the nature of the crime.
Zapatero will not be able to reduce his time in prison with good conduct, authorities said.
The district attorney’s office said the shooting unfolded on Nov. 9, 2024, along Chestnut Street. Officers with the McKinney Police Department found the two victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Both men were taken to a nearby hospital, but were later pronounced dead.
The office said investigators who examined the crime scene recovered surveillance footage of the incident, which showed Zapatero trying to get a gun from another person there. After taking control of it, Zapatero shot both men in the head as they tried to run away. Prosecutors said he fired 13 shots before running away.
Emiliano Zapatero was located and arrested several days later.
“This conviction and life sentence deliver accountability for the brutal murder of two men. No family should have to bury loved ones because of this kind of senseless violence. Our thoughts remain with the victims’ families as they continue to grieve,” District Attorney Greg Willis said in a statement after the sentencing.
