GARLAND, TX – A complex investigation into a shooting at a Garland Motel 6 has led to the arrest of three men on murder and robbery charges following a deadly encounter that police believe stemmed from a series of targeted robberies using online escort ads as bait.
On June 20, 2025, at approximately 5:19 a.m., Garland Police responded to a shooting at Motel 6, located in the 1200 block of LBJ Freeway. Officers arrived to find a man wearing full security guard attire lying on the ground in front of room 139, suffering from gunshot wounds to the neck. Officers began CPR until EMS arrived and transported him to Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, where he was later pronounced dead.
The victim was identified as Santiago Lopez Morales, a 48-year-old man from Las Vegas, Nevada. According to police, Morales was a licensed security officer and was wearing a tactical vest with “Security” emblazoned across the front and back, a duty belt, a firearm, and other standard law enforcement-style gear at the time of the shooting.
Surveillance Video and Timeline of Shooting
Detective John Guthrie, the lead homicide investigator, reviewed multiple surveillance camera angles from Motel 6. According to his report:
- At 4:21 a.m., a maroon Dodge pickup backed into a parking spot in front of room 137. Morales and four companions arrived in this vehicle:
- Yordy Rodriguez-Aldana, 29
- Yurisander Ortega, 40
- Yanelis Alvarez-Gonzalez, 36
- Lisset Figueredo, 27
- At 4:47 a.m., a maroon Toyota sedan entered and parked on the east side of the complex.
- At 4:54 a.m., a gray Acura backed into a space at the Denny’s restaurant next door.
- At 5:07 a.m., a Hispanic male wearing a dark t-shirt, dark shorts, and black and white shoes exited the Toyota and walked toward room 137 while using his phone.
- At 5:13 a.m., Morales exited the Dodge wearing his full uniform and approached the male near room 137 while holding a firearm. A struggle ensued, and two additional males exited the Dodge pickup to assist Morales.
At the same time, a second Hispanic male, wearing a dark shirt and light-colored pants with white tennis shoes, exited the Acura and approached the struggle with a gun drawn. Surveillance video captured a muzzle flash, and Morales collapsed to the ground, bleeding profusely…