Slain Teen’s Family Feels Mixed Emotions After El Paso Police Arrest Stabbing Suspects

Iris Cuevas is torn.

She’s relieved that her 15-year-old son’s alleged killers are now in custody. On the other hand, “it gets harder day by day. I’m scared because I know there’s a lot more to come,” Cuevas told ABC-7.

She said she’s bracing for the day she will have to face the two men in court. “They took away my son. That’s unforgivable,” she said.

Brian Johnson and Hugo Gonzalez were arrested almost three weeks after Angel Cuevas’s slaying took place outside a Northeast El Paso movie theatre.

The U.S. Marshal’s Lone Star Fugitive Task Force El Paso Office caught the two men in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Johnson and Gonzalez were found at a home in the 1300 block of Thomas at about 6:30 p.m. Feb. 22 after authorities followed up on an anonymous tip from El Paso Crime Stoppers. Their capture was announced Wednesday morning.

According to Cuevas’ family members and police, Johnson, Gonzalez and an unidentified juvenile had tried to steal a cell phone and an iPod on Feb. 4 when Cuevas tried to intervene. Police called Cuevas a Good Samaritan for trying to help stop the robberies.

“I’m really happy that the guys were caught,” said Iris Cuevas. “But regardless of everything, they get to sit in a (jail) cell, they get to see their families. My son doesn’t.”

Angel’s cousin, Chris Lujan, who was there the night of the stabbing said he’s haunted by the painful memories.

“I couldn’t sleep or anything for like three days. Every time I closed my eyes I would see (my cousin). I woke up just sweating,” said Lujan.

According to the affidavit, police used surveillance video from the movie theatre and a nearby Wal-Mart to identify the suspects. The affidavit also states a stolen cell phone was used at one point, which helped police track down the suspects.

Both Johnson and Gonzalez face extradition to El Paso.