June 19, 2023
(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Armando Diaz, Jr., 19, of Dallas, Texas, was sentenced to life in prison for Murder. “This man brutally shot his defenseless, teenaged girlfriend 10 times, at least four times while she was on the ground in a fetal position. And the jury rightly saw through his lack of remorse,” stated Willis after sentencing.
On February 6, 2022, Dallas Police Department officers were called out to an apartment complex after residents reported hearing gunshots. When officers arrived, they found the 17 year-old victim with a total of 10 gunshot wounds to her chest, face, and back. The shooter was not at the scene when police arrived but investigation revealed that the victim had been living in the apartment complex with her boyfriend, Diaz.
The apartment lease was in Diaz’s mother’s name and an interview with his mother revealed she was aware of the murder and even helped Diaz flee the scene without calling 911. Ultimately, Diaz would turn himself in to the police station four days later. Detective Chris Walton interviewed Diaz, and after initially lying to the detective, Diaz eventually confessed to committing the crime.
Diaz pled guilty to murder and went before the jury for punishment sentencing. At trial, Officer Arnet Brantley, the first officer on scene, stated the victim was still alive when he got there, but died as he was performing medical treatment on her extensive injuries. He also stated this case stuck with him because of the especially brutal nature of the murder. Collin County Medical Examiner Dr. Stephanie Burton testified that at least four of the gunshot wounds were consistent with her being shot while in the fetal position on the ground.
Diaz testified at trial and admitted to shooting her with a .45 caliber Glock with a switch installed after manufacture that turned it into a fully automatic pistol. Diaz attempted to rationalize his behavior by explaining that he and the victim had an argument and he was intoxicated. A jury assessed punishment at life in prison. He will be eligible for parole consideration upon serving 30 years.
Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Kailey Gillman and Dewey Mitchell prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigator Stephanie Strickland and Sarah Putman, and Victim Assistance Coordinators Shaunette Bronson and Ruth Ruiz.
#####
