MCGREGOR, Texas — It's been one year since five people were shot and killed in McGregor by Nicolas Jaimes-Hernandez on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022.
Around 7:30 a.m. that Thursday morning, police responded to West 8th and Monroe Street to a report of shots fired.
When they arrived on the scene, Jaimes-Hernandez fired at police. Officers fired back, ultimately hitting Jaimes-Hernandez and they were then able to take him into custody.
Jaimes-Hernandez claimed the lives of 38-year-old Monica Delgado, 15-year-old Miguel Avila, 14-year-old Natalie Avila, 47-year-old Lorena Aviles and 20-year-old Natalie Aviles.
A very dark day in the community as McGregor Mayor Jimmy Hering stated, "This terrible and senseless act of violence has devastated our town."
The incident even caused Troy ISD to cancel extra-curricular activities for some schools as the tragedy affected so many.
The Aviles family hosted a memorial event for Natalie and Lori Aviles at the Bethlehem Christian Church Friday, Sept. 29 at 6 p.m.
During this event, Lori's sister Olivia Perez told the community they have been highly supportive of the family over the last year.
"We remember who was there," Perez shared. "We remember the words that everyone said to us. We remember the efforts that everyone had not only with us, but with our nephews,"
Lori was also the mother of two sons at the time of her passing.
Temple College named a nursing scholarship after Natalie to keep her name alive.
Since the shooting, Jaimes-Hernandez was indicted on Nov. 22, 2022 on two counts of capital murder and two counts of aggravated assault, yet it is still unknown when his trial will be set.
When asked about the status of Jaimes-Hernandez's case, McLennan County DA Josh Tetens stated, "Because this case is pending, the law does not allow us to comment on it specifically. In all cases, however, we are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to gather and evaluate all available evidence, and to ensure that justice is done fairly and finally."
The McGregor community continues to remember the ones who were lost and strive to combat any more senseless acts of gun violence.
"We know we're going to have justice," Perez added. "This is definitely going to close on a good note and we're going to get our justice. Not only for our family, but also the other families too."