by Houston, TX – A 39-year-old Texas father is facing a murder charge after authorities say he fatally shot a 25-year-old Amazon manager outside a Houston gas station on Christmas morning, mistakenly believing the victim was responsible for kidnapping his daughter.
Jonathan Ross Mata allegedly opened fire on a fleeing SUV outside a Shell gas station around 1 a.m. on Dec. 25, killing Desmond Butler, an innocent bystander who had no connection to the family and was spending the holiday away from his own relatives.
Confusion After Frantic Call From Daughter
According to Houston police and a criminal complaint, the deadly encounter began when Mata and his wife received a distressed phone call from their 19-year-old daughter, who claimed she had been assaulted by her boyfriend.
Initially, the daughter asked her parents to pick her up from her cousin’s apartment. Roughly 30 minutes later, however, the couple believed she would instead be dropped off by her boyfriend at the Shell gas station.
Investigators say the parents rushed to the location, already fearing their daughter was in danger.
Vehicle Mistaken for Suspect’s Car
Moments after the Matas arrived at the gas station in their black GMC Acadia, a gray Honda Pilot driven by Desmond Butler pulled into the lot. A woman was seated in the passenger seat.
According to the complaint, Butler resembled the daughter’s boyfriend, leading the parents to believe their daughter was inside the vehicle.
“Defendant stated that he thought his daughter was in the vehicle,” the complaint noted, adding that Mata’s wife exited the SUV and began chasing Butler’s car on foot.
Surveillance footage shows Butler driving past the Acadia as Mata’s wife ran after the Honda, reaching for the rear passenger door.
Fatal Shooting as Victim Fled
Butler, apparently unaware of the situation, accelerated out of the gas station and onto an access road along the Sam Houston Parkway.
Video footage then shows Jonathan Mata, armed with a pistol, walking toward the fleeing vehicle before allegedly opening fire. Authorities say Butler was struck by gunfire, lost control of his SUV, and crashed into a pole.
Mata later told investigators he fired two shots in an attempt to stop the vehicle.
Realization and Flight From Scene
After the crash, Mata and his wife reportedly drove to the wrecked Honda and opened the passenger-side door, only then realizing Butler was not their daughter’s boyfriend.
“Oh, we were looking for our kidnapped daughter. I’m sorry. We will call 911,” Mata allegedly said after looking inside the vehicle, according to the complaint.
Instead of calling for help, investigators say the couple left the scene. Butler was later transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Charges and Court Proceedings
Mata and his wife appeared at police headquarters with an attorney days later, claiming the shooting stemmed from a misunderstanding involving a suspected kidnapping.
Mata was formally charged with murder, turned himself in on Wednesday, and posted a $50,000 bond. He is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 25.
Authorities have emphasized that Butler was not armed, was not involved in any dispute, and posed no threat at the time of the shooting.
Victim Remembered by Family
Butler’s sister, Destiny Butler, said the family — who live in Georgia — is devastated by the loss.
She told local media that her brother moved to Houston in 2023 for a job at Amazon, where he later became a manager. With no holiday plans, Butler had planned to spend Christmas quietly.
His family described him as hardworking and focused on building his future.
Public Safety and Vigilante Concerns
The case has raised renewed concerns about vigilante actions, mistaken identity, and the dangers of confronting perceived suspects without confirming facts or contacting authorities.
Law enforcement officials repeatedly warn that taking matters into one’s own hands — especially with a firearm — can lead to irreversible consequences, even when actions are driven by fear or panic.
Conclusion
What began as a frantic attempt to protect a child ended in the death of an innocent man with no connection to the situation. As the case moves through the courts, prosecutors will focus on the moments that led Jonathan Mata to pull the trigger and the decisions that followed.
Share your experiences in the comments below.
