The short version
- A Texas reserve police officer was arrested in Mexico on charges of femicide and qualified homicide following a deadly shooting.
- The incident occurred during a dispute over custody of the suspect's three-year-old son, resulting in three deaths and one critical injury.
- Authorities intercepted the suspect at the border before he could re-enter the United States with the child, who is now in state care.
A Texas law enforcement officer has been taken into custody in Mexico following a violent incident that resulted in three deaths and the critical injury of another individual. Chad Eberle, a 35-year-old reserve police officer from Santa Anna, was arrested on Wednesday at the international bridge connecting Piedras Negras, Mexico, with Eagle Pass, Texas. Mexican authorities had issued a warrant for his arrest based on accusations stemming from a shooting in Saltillo earlier in July.
The Coahuila attorney general’s office confirmed that Eberle faces charges of femicide and qualified homicide under Mexican law. Femicide is defined as the intentional killing of a woman or girl motivated by her gender. The legal classification underscores the severity with which local prosecutors are treating the case, particularly given the involvement of the mother of Eberle's child among the victims.
Investigators state that the violence erupted during an argument regarding custody rights for Eberle’s three-year-old son. According to reports, the dispute centered on whether Eberle had permission to take the child. The confrontation escalated into a shooting that claimed the lives of two women and one man. The identities of the deceased have been reported as Ana Laura, 44; Laura Jaquelín, 22; and Emanuel, 44.
The mother of the child, who is 26 years old, was also shot during the attack. She sustained a gunshot wound to the head and remained in critical condition at the time of reporting. The severity of her injuries highlights the extreme violence involved in what began as a family dispute over parental access.
Law enforcement officials launched a manhunt after Eberle left the residence with his son in a gray Chevrolet Silverado. Investigators tracked the vehicle’s movement toward the Texas border, anticipating an attempt to flee the country. The pursuit culminated at the border crossing, where authorities intercepted Eberle before he could re-enter the United States.
The three-year-old boy was unharmed during the incident and the subsequent flight. Following his father’s arrest, the child was placed under the care of Coahuila’s child welfare agency, known as Pronnif. Officials stated that this arrangement is intended to guarantee the comprehensive protection of the minor’s rights while the legal proceedings unfold.
Eberle has a history of service in various law enforcement roles across Texas. Before joining the Santa Anna police department as an unpaid reserve officer in November 2025, he worked as a deputy constable in Bexar County and served with the Northside Independent School District police. He also held positions in Somerset, Marble Falls, Gregory, Lockney, and Bangs. A 2022 social media post from the Lockney police department identified him as an army veteran.
Santa Anna city officials confirmed that Eberle was on a personal leave of absence until December at the time of the incident. They noted that the local police department has been in contact with the U.S. consulate in Mexico and the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. No further public comment was provided due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Coahuila Attorney General Federico Fernández announced via social media that Eberle had been admitted to the Saltillo men’s penitentiary. He is now at the disposal of the competent judicial authority in accordance with standard legal procedures. The case illustrates the complex jurisdictional challenges involved when crimes occur across international borders, particularly those involving family law disputes.
As the investigation continues, attention remains on the legal process that will determine Eberle’s fate. The intersection of custody disputes and violent crime presents significant difficulties for both Mexican and U.S. authorities. The outcome may have broader implications for how cross-border family cases are monitored and handled by law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian US↗US police officer accused of killing three people in Mexico arrested at border
