BAYTOWN, Texas — Two alleged gang members were arrested in connection with the 2023 shooting death of a Baytown man, court records show.
The Baytown Police Department identified Cesar Nunez, 18, as one of those suspects on Thursday. Dyellen Fontenot, 21, was also identified as a suspect.
According to a criminal complaint, both men were affiliated with local street gangs at the time of the shooting. An investigation revealed that Nunez allegedly told a friend the shooting would help him “earn status” in the gang, court records show.
On Jan. 17, 2023, Harris County prosecutors allege Nunez kicked open the door of a unit at the Marina Club Apartments on Missouri Street. Nunez and Fontenot are accused of shooting multiple rounds into the apartment.
The two men were under the belief they were targeting a rival, according to charging documents.
However, prosecutors say Nunez and Fontenot instead shot and killed Steven Jackson, 55, and injured a female victim who was also at the scene. Jackson and the female victim are believed to be completely unaffiliated with gang activity.
In probable cause court Wednesday, a judge read out those allegations to Nunez.
“The two of you kicked in the door and sprayed that apartment with at least 45 rounds of .223-caliber rile gunfire,” he said. “And the allegation is that you and Mr. Fontenot ended up shooting two completely innocent people who have nothing whatsoever to do with your gang-related dispute."
Nunez appeared in court for a second time on Thursday.
His bond is set at $1 million. Fontenot’s bond is set at $500,000. Both men are currently being held at the Harris County Jail.
Prosecutors believe this may be the second time Nunez and Fontenot carried out an attack at the Marina Club apartments.
According to charging documents, a group of five suspects shot into the same unit in July 2022. At that time, the suspects including Nunez and Fontenot, shot the mother of their rival in the stomach, court records allege.
In a news release Thursday, Baytown PD said the Jan. 17, 2023 shooting was connected to the shooting death of 16-year-old Baytown resident Shane Hamilton one week earlier. Police revealed three men had been arrested in connection with Hamilton’s death.