Harris County Cold Case Solved: 2017 Capital Murder Arrest Made

Harris County authorities announced a major breakthrough in a 2017 cold case murder. On March 11, 2017, at approximately 11:05 p.m., deputies responded to a shooting at an apartment complex in the 8000 block of Richcrest, near E. Hardy Road and Rankin, where 48-year-old Pedro Aguilar was found fatally shot during an attempted carjacking. At the time, there were no leads.

Fast forward to December 2, 2025: the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT), in coordination with Gulf Coast Violent Offenders, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the TDC OIG, arrested 25-year-old Brian Adams, who was 17 at the time of the crime. Adams was charged with Capital Murder and booked into the Harris County Jail.

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez commended the HCSO Homicide team, led by Sgt. J. Brown, for their dedication and persistence in bringing the case to resolution.

This arrest brings long-awaited justice for the victim and highlights the commitment of Harris County law enforcement to solving even the most challenging cold cases.