Texas Rangers say a Rio Grande City man shot his neighbor three times and killed him. It happened after a morning argument on June 13. The suspect is now in the Starr County jail on a $2 million bond.

Jose Luis Falcon was born in 1958. He was arrested the evening of June 13. He faces a first-degree murder charge. That is the most serious murder charge in Texas. If found guilty, he could get 5 to 99 years in prison or life.

The victim is Edio Estrada Jr. He was 32 years old. He was shot on a vacant lot near his home. He was rushed to Starr County Memorial Hospital. He was pronounced dead at 11:30 AM on June 13.

There is a detail in this case that many in Rio Grande City are talking about.

Texas Rangers, not Rio Grande City Police, ran the murder case from the start. RGC Police Chief Jose Solis told Channel 5 News why. Falcon is related to one of his officers. That family tie forced Chief Solis to call in the Rangers. He did it the same morning as the shooting.

Texas Ranger Bryan Rodriguez of Company "D" took over. His unit is based in Rio Grande City.

Here is what court records say happened on the morning of June 13.

Falcon went outside to take out trash. He saw Estrada on a nearby vacant lot. That lot belonged to Estrada. The two men got into a verbal fight. Estrada sat in his Black Chevrolet Silverado during the fight.

After the fight, Falcon went back inside his home. He grabbed a black Taurus PT140 Pro .40 caliber pistol. He walked back outside and opened fire. He shot Estrada about three times.

Estrada fell to the ground. Falcon went back inside. He then called Rio Grande City Police himself to report the shooting.

Officers arrived at the corner of San Benito and Avasolo streets. They took Falcon into custody right there. Chief Solis then called Ranger Rodriguez at 12:10 PM. Rodriguez arrived at the scene at 12:30 PM.

At 1:30 PM, Rodriguez sat down with Falcon for an interview. Falcon told the Ranger what he did. He told it step by step. He did not deny the shooting.

Starr County deputies booked Falcon into the county jail at 7:15 PM that evening. The case number is 2026-0022370.

Two days later, on June 15, Falcon went before Judge Orlando Rodriguez of the Starr County Court at Law. The judge set bail at $2 million. Falcon would need a bondsman to get out. At that price, that is not going to happen.

Falcon asked for a court-appointed lawyer. He will get one if he cannot pay for his own.

The charge is under Texas Penal Code 19.02(b)(1). Prosecutors believe Falcon meant to kill Estrada. A grand jury in Starr County must now look at the evidence. If they vote to charge him formally, the case goes to district court for trial.

A first-degree murder conviction can mean 5 to 99 years in prison or life. Falcon is 67 years old. Even a short sentence could mean he never walks free again.

Ranger Rodriguez and Company "D" are still on the case.

Jose Luis Falcon is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.