Corpus Christi police arrested a 34-year-old man on a murder warrant. They say he stabbed a 56-year-old man to death on the westside.

Officers took Jerry Lee Alvarez into custody on July 21. He is charged with murder. His bond is set at $1 million.

The stabbing happened on July 16. It was about 9:45 p.m. Police went to the 1700 block of 18th Street. That is on the westside of Corpus Christi.

Officers found the victim not moving. He had a stab wound in his upper left stomach. Medics rushed him to the hospital. He died there from his injuries.

Detectives with the CCPD Robbery and Homicide Division took the case. At first, no one was arrested. Police said the people involved knew each other. They called it an isolated fight.

That changed when a witness came forward. The witness said he was there when the stabbing happened. He told police that Alvarez felt disrespected. A fight broke out. The witness said he saw Alvarez stab the victim in the stomach.

The witness said he was scared to talk at first. He knew Alvarez had gang ties. He knew Alvarez had a history of violence. He worried Alvarez would come after him for talking. He came forward anyway. He gave detectives the full story.

A woman at the scene first told police she did not see the stabbing. Later, a witness said Alvarez admitted to the stabbing himself. A worker at a nearby restaurant also gave police details. Those details backed up the case.

Detectives used all of this proof to get a murder warrant. Officers arrested Alvarez five days after the stabbing.

Murder is a first degree felony in Texas. That is one of the most serious charges in Texas law. If a jury finds Alvarez guilty, he could get 5 to 99 years. He could even get life in prison.

Violent crime hits families and neighbors fast and hard. This case shows how police work can take time. Witnesses often need days to come forward. Fear of payback keeps people quiet, even when they saw something important.

Cases built on witness accounts can be hard to prove. Detectives have to check every story against the facts. They talk to more than one person. They look for details that match up.

Right now, Alvarez sits in jail. His bond is $1 million. He must pay that full amount to get out. Or he can hire a bail bond company to back him.

El Tejano will follow this case as it moves through the Nueces County court system. Police still want the public's help. Anyone with more information can call CCPD Criminal Investigations at 361-886-2840. Tips can also go to Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS.