Accused murderer Trevor McEuen arrested after month-long manhunt

An accused murderer, Trevor McEuen, who managed to escape house arrest by breaking his ankle monitor, has finally been captured after a month-long manhunt as one of Texas’ top 10 most wanted fugitives. McEuen, 32, was facing charges of capital murder when he failed to appear in court on May 5, prompting Texas Governor Greg Abbott to criticize the state’s bail system for allowing such escapes to happen.

After being on the run for weeks, McEuen was apprehended early Monday, with a photo showing him in a disheveled state, barefoot and covered in mud, sitting in the back of a police cruiser. The fugitive had a $30,000 reward on his head as one of Texas’ most wanted fugitives, although it is unclear if a tip led to his arrest.

McEuen’s charges stemmed from the brutal murder of his neighbor, Aaron Martinez, in 2023. Martinez, 35, was shot 15 to 30 times in the back and forehead, marking the culmination of a long-standing feud between the two neighbors. Martinez’s family alleged that McEuen had been harassing Martinez, firing shots at his property, and using racial slurs against him prior to the fatal shooting.

Following the murder, McEuen was arrested after a SWAT team standoff and charged with murder. He was later indicted for capital murder in November 2023. Despite being released from jail in September, McEuen found himself back behind bars for violating his terms by posting photos of Martinez online. He then posted a $2 million bond in December, only to cut off his ankle monitor and flee, as reported by Fox 4 News.

Governor Abbott condemned McEuen’s actions, emphasizing the need for bail reform to prevent dangerous criminals like him from being released back onto the streets. The incident has reignited calls for legislative action to address the shortcomings of the current bail system in Texas.