Two suspects arrested in fatal shooting in Liberty County

The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two people in connection with a fatal shooting early Wednesday morning, October 16th. The suspects, Trenton Chase Cook Jr. and Isela Judith Venegas, both 18 years old and from Cleveland, Texas, were arrested and taken into custody after an extensive investigation.

The two were initially arrested on unrelated charges and are now facing murder charges following further investigations. The arrest warrants against them were signed by the justice of the peace. 6Ralph Fuller.

The shooting, which occurred around 2 a.m. Oct. 16 on FM 1010 near CR 341 south of Cleveland, left a 17-year-old man dead and two others injured.

According to Lt. According to Liberty County Sheriff’s Office spokesman John Bennett, two 17-year-olds were picked up by two friends – an 18-year-old and a 19-year-old – when another vehicle pulled up behind them and opened fire. One of the 17-year-olds was fatally shot, the other was hit twice, while the 18-year-old suffered a graze wound to the head. The 19-year-old driver was uninjured.

Investigators believe at least six shots were fired during the brief but deadly encounter. Shell casings recovered from the crime scene are believed to be linked to the attack. While investigators are following up on leads, they have not yet released specific details about the suspect’s vehicle involved in the shooting.

The victims managed to drive themselves to a hospital in the Kingwood area where they were treated. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office later notified Liberty County authorities of the incident. Two of the victims are from the Cleveland area, while the other two are from the Colony Ridge communities south of Plum Grove. A motive for the shooting has not yet been announced.

Bennett said investigators are looking at all possibilities, including gang involvement, but there is currently no evidence to support that theory. The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, the Texas Rangers and the Sheriff’s Office Interdiction Unit worked together on the case and received critical assistance from the Cleveland ISD Police Department in identifying the suspects. Additional charges could be pending as the investigation continues.

Cook has been arrested multiple times in Liberty County, so his mugshot is on file at the county jail. There is currently no mugshot available for Isela Venegas.