Texas Reserve Officer Accused of Killing Three in Mexico During Custody Dispute

SANTA ANNA, Texas (TXAN 24) — A Texas reserve police officer is facing multiple homicide charges in Mexico after authorities say a custody dispute over his young son escalated into a deadly shooting that left three people dead and the child’s mother critically injured.

Chad Eberle, 35, was arrested by Mexican authorities after allegedly opening fire at a home in Saltillo, Coahuila, during an argument involving the custody of his 3-year-old son.

According to authorities, two 44-year-old victims — a man and a woman — and a 22-year-old woman were killed in the shooting. The boy’s mother, identified as Litzy Mora, was shot in the head and remained hospitalized in critical condition, according to reports.

Investigators allege Eberle became enraged after being told he could not take the child to the United States. Authorities say he fled the scene with his son before being captured while attempting to cross back into the United States near Eagle Pass.

Eberle is being held at the Saltillo Men’s Penitentiary and faces charges including aggravated homicide and femicide.

At the time of his arrest, Eberle was serving as an unpaid reserve officer with the Santa Anna Police Department. The department said he had been hired in November 2025 and was on a personal leave of absence when the killings occurred.

Santa Anna Police Chief Ryan Tucker described the allegations as a shock to the department. Eberle has been placed on unpaid administrative leave while the department investigates.

The 3-year-old child was placed in the custody of Mexican child protection authorities and returned to Saltillo.

The allegations remain under investigation in Mexico. Eberle is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.