Houston Police Department

05/01/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/02/2024 13:01

UPDATE: Suspect Arrested, Charged in November 2023 Fatal Shooting at 501 Seminar Drive

May 1, 2024- Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in the fatal shooting of a man and a woman found at 501 Seminar Drive about 2:10 a.m. on November 6, 2023.

The suspect, Fransisco Cruz, 37, is charged with capital murder in the 178th State District Court. A booking photo of Cruz is attached to this news release.

The victims are identified as Victor Diaz, 29, and Victoria Steckel, 34.

HPD Homicide Division Detective J. Brown reported:

Mr. Diaz's vehicle was found parked on the curb at the above address. Diaz and Ms. Steckel were found unresponsive inside the vehicle. Both had suffered gunshot wounds. Houston Fire Department paramedics pronounced Diaz and Steckel deceased.

At that time, there was no known motive or suspect(s).

Further investigation identified Cruz, who had a previous relationship with Steckel, as the suspect in this case. Cruz was arrested on Monday (April 29) by officers with the HPD North Belt Patrol Division Crime Suppression Team.

Fransisco Cruz

Update: VHS/JFC 5-1-24
VHS/SOA 11-6-23
Inc. #158903423