Stabbing Death Protest Law Enforcement
By: Jackie Smith
Updated: December 1, 2010
MIDLAND -- Last week a nineteen-year-old boy was stabbed to death at Park Glen Apartments.
Midland Police say Gabriel Escontrias, Junior got into an altercation with a female resident.
That's when a man stepped in to defend his friend and things got messy.
When police arrived, Escontrais was dead on the sidewalk.
Authorities believe Escontrias started the argument - but his family disagrees.
Ever since the boy died, they have been protesting law enforcement and demanding justice.
Today they brought their case outside the Midland Police Department.
It's been almost a week since Gabriel Escontrias junior was stabbed to death.
His family and friends have been protesting all over town and today brought them to Midland Police Department.
They feel the police falsely portrayed Escontrias as a criminal.
And now they just want justice.
"We want justice for my brother he was portrayed as the criminal, when he was actually the victim," said sister Mayra Escontrias.
That's what Gabriels family and friends are saying.
As they protest in front of the Midland Police Department searching for more answers.
"There not doing their job, I haven't seen no police or investigators at the apartment where it happened since that night," said Ex-Girlfriend Dina Martinez.
They feel that the police investigation is one-sided.
"They have their side, my brother can't say otherwise," said Mayra.
Police say Escontrias started the argument with a woman at Park Glen Apartments.
They say he began to get violent and that's when her male companion stepped in.
Stabbing Escontrias multiple times.
Leaving him to die on the sidewalk.
The family is upset.
A mother had to bury one of her children, something a parent should never have to go through.
"It's I really don't know how to describe it or explain it. It's just hard," said mother Armida Escontrias.
There giving him a voice.
"We are his voice right now"
Because he doesn't have one anymore.
He is leaving behind his 10 year old cousin.
"Well he teached me to be kind to people, he showed me respect and that's how I love him," said cousin Isael Ramerez.
Also an old sweetheart who still wonders what could have been.
"He didn't deserve this and um they took somebody away from me that i never thought they would take away," said Martinez.
They called him Flaco, which means skinny in Spanish.
His family says they will always remember Flaco and fight until his name is cleared.
"Even if it takes my lifetime, because i love him," said Ramerez.
Police say they can't reveal anymore information, like the names of the other two people involved because of safety reasons.
They did tell me they are continuing to interview people as it is an ongoing investigation at this time.
But it looks like a grand jury will decide if the self defense charge will stand.
Gabriels family says if that happens, they will continue to fight because they feel a murderer would be set free.
Midland Police say Gabriel Escontrias, Junior got into an altercation with a female resident.
That's when a man stepped in to defend his friend and things got messy.
When police arrived, Escontrais was dead on the sidewalk.
Authorities believe Escontrias started the argument - but his family disagrees.
Ever since the boy died, they have been protesting law enforcement and demanding justice.
Today they brought their case outside the Midland Police Department.
It's been almost a week since Gabriel Escontrias junior was stabbed to death.
His family and friends have been protesting all over town and today brought them to Midland Police Department.
They feel the police falsely portrayed Escontrias as a criminal.
And now they just want justice.
"We want justice for my brother he was portrayed as the criminal, when he was actually the victim," said sister Mayra Escontrias.
That's what Gabriels family and friends are saying.
As they protest in front of the Midland Police Department searching for more answers.
"There not doing their job, I haven't seen no police or investigators at the apartment where it happened since that night," said Ex-Girlfriend Dina Martinez.
They feel that the police investigation is one-sided.
"They have their side, my brother can't say otherwise," said Mayra.
Police say Escontrias started the argument with a woman at Park Glen Apartments.
They say he began to get violent and that's when her male companion stepped in.
Stabbing Escontrias multiple times.
Leaving him to die on the sidewalk.
The family is upset.
A mother had to bury one of her children, something a parent should never have to go through.
"It's I really don't know how to describe it or explain it. It's just hard," said mother Armida Escontrias.
There giving him a voice.
"We are his voice right now"
Because he doesn't have one anymore.
He is leaving behind his 10 year old cousin.
"Well he teached me to be kind to people, he showed me respect and that's how I love him," said cousin Isael Ramerez.
Also an old sweetheart who still wonders what could have been.
"He didn't deserve this and um they took somebody away from me that i never thought they would take away," said Martinez.
They called him Flaco, which means skinny in Spanish.
His family says they will always remember Flaco and fight until his name is cleared.
"Even if it takes my lifetime, because i love him," said Ramerez.
Police say they can't reveal anymore information, like the names of the other two people involved because of safety reasons.
They did tell me they are continuing to interview people as it is an ongoing investigation at this time.
But it looks like a grand jury will decide if the self defense charge will stand.
Gabriels family says if that happens, they will continue to fight because they feel a murderer would be set free.
