Rockdale man sentenced in March 29 shooting, murder

A 53-year-old Rockdale man will spend 50 years in prison for a murder in Cameron last springa.
Ricardo Cruz Munoz was sentenced by 20th Judicial District Court Judge John Youngblood on Wednesday, according to District Attorney Bill Torrey.
Torrey said Munoz pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in court on Wednesday.
The court found that a firearm was involved and under the current Texas Parole guidelines, Munoz will be required to serve a minimum of 25 years before becoming eligible for parole, Torrey said.
Munoz was indicted April 16, 2015 for a shooting March 29 in Cameron when one man was killed and two other people were injured. The incident occurred at a residence in the 1000 block of South College where family members were gathered. Witnesses told police the suspect drove up to the property and began firing into the group of people, killing Francisco Avila, 41, of Buckholts and injuring Gabriel Rangel, 38, and an eight-year old boy.
Munos fled the scene and was arrested a few hours later in Rockdale. County and state officers assisted in the search.
In addition, Munos was indicted on two counts of second-degree felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and third-degree felony unlawful possession of firearm by felon. These cases were considered in the sentencing, Torrey said.