1983 cold case: Round Rock police continue to investigate

RRPD continue to investigate 1983 cold case

Round Rock police say the suspect, Martin Gallegos, was last seen in Mexico in 2017. He was 20 years old at the time of the murder and 60 years old now.

ROUND ROCK, Texas - Round Rock police are re-investigating a 1983 murder of a woman at the Cactus Lounge on N. Sheppard St.

Investigators say on Oct. 16, 1983, around 10:20 p.m., Martin Gallegos is believed to have shot three people, killing 56-year-old Helen Ochoa and injuring two others, Juan Guerrero and Guadalupe Morales.

Round Rock police reopen 1983 cold case murder due to change in laws

Round Rock police say the suspect, Martin Gallegos, was last seen in Mexico in 2017. He was 20 years old at the time of the murder and 60 years old now.

Juan and Guadalupe did know each other at the time of the shooting. However, Ochoa, Juan and Guadalupe did not know Gallegos, but others in the bar did know him.

"Helen Ochoa, the victim who was murdered, was dancing with our suspect Martin Gallegos. Juan and Guadalupe had a dispute with Martin Gallegos over Helen," said Commander Tom Sloan of the Round Rock Police Department Criminal Investigations Division. "As they leave all three were shot by Martin Gallegos."

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Gallegos has been a fugitive ever since. He was 20 years old in 1983, and would be 60 now.

He was last seen in Mexico in 2017 and there is still an active warrant out for his arrest.

Detectives are looking for anyone with information about the incident as well as the current locations of Gallegos and two other persons of interest Juan Guerrero, now 70, and Guadalupe Morales, now 61.

"Go back in time if you would. Were you on that street? Were you one bar over? Were you in the area? Did someone brag? Did Gallegos brag to a co-worker at a job site?" said Sloan.

For those with information, please contact Detective Patrick Turck at pturck@roundrocktexas.gov or 512-218-7048. Anonymous tips can be submitted to WilcoCrimeTips.org.

Round Rock police shared the original article about the murder from the Round Rock Leader in 1983 in the hope that someone can help them find the suspect. (Round Rock Police Department)

Round Rock police say they've reopened the case because Mexico has changed its laws.

"It’s my understanding now and the understanding of the investigators that there is no extradition time limit," said Sloan. "So if he’s found and located in Mexico or the United States, he can be apprehended, and he can be transported back to Williamson County, and be held accountable for what he’s accused of doing."

Mexico previously had a 13-year statute of limitations for international extradition of murder warrants, but that statute has changed and Gallegos could now be extradited if found in Mexico or the U.S.

"We want to send a clear message that if we’ve got information, and we can investigate to the point of an arrest and apprehend you, we will hold you accountable, regardless of how long," said Sloan.

The Cactus Lounge, most recently known as Cactus Nights Sports Bar, was demolished in March 2022.