Life Sentence for Fatal 2020 Shooting in Lubbock Walmart
Kaleb Anthony Vasquez, a 23-year-old Kansas man, was sentenced to life in prison by a Lubbock jury for the fatal shooting of 42-year-old Roel Munoz at a Walmart in December 2020. The defense claimed Vasquez was experiencing a psychotic episode induced by methamphetamine use, but the jury, composed of nine women and three men, took roughly four hours to decide on the life sentence. Vasquez, who had been in custody since the incident, confessed to the murder and was found guilty of the senseless shooting.
During the trial, the jury was presented with surveillance footage showing the tragic moment when Vasquez shot Munoz after briefly crossing paths in the store, despite having no prior interaction. After firing a single, fatal shot, Vasquez fled the scene, triggering alarms before escaping through the garden center. His attempted flight from justice ended hours later when he was arrested near a gas station after an unsuccessful attempt to steal a car from a bystander.
Drug-Induced Psychosis Defense and Prosecution’s Rebuttal
Vasquez’s defense team argued that his actions were driven by drug-induced psychosis, with expert testimony from William Gerber, director of the Center for Collegiate Recovery Communities at Texas Tech. Gerber explained that Vasquez believed he was under threat due to hallucinations caused by years of substance abuse, including methamphetamine, LSD, and mushrooms. Despite relocating to Lubbock for rehabilitation, Vasquez’s mental health rapidly declined, leading to the fatal shooting.
Prosecutor Chris Schulte argued that Vasquez’s drug use did not absolve him of responsibility for his violent actions. Footage of Vasquez cooperating with police post-arrest was shown to counter claims of his distressed state. Schulte urged the jury to focus on the brutality of the crime and the devastating impact on Munoz’s family, calling for accountability for the unprovoked and tragic loss of life.