Wrongful-Death Lawsuit Over Migrant Shooting in West Texas Heads to Trial

Case Heads to Federal Court in El Paso

EL PASO, Texas — A wrongful-death lawsuit tied to the fatal 2022 shooting of a Mexican migrant in the West Texas desert is set to go before a jury this week. Federal court records show that the family of 22-year-old Jesús Iván Sepúlveda Martínez and survivor Berenice Casias Carrillo filed the lawsuit against LaSalle Corrections V LLC, the private company that operates the West Texas Detention Facility in Sierra Blanca.

Jury selection and the trial are scheduled to begin Tuesday, Aug. 19, at the Albert Armendáriz Sr. Federal Courthouse in downtown El Paso. U.S. Senior Judge David Briones will preside over the proceedings.

Allegations Against LaSalle Corrections

The case stems from the Sept. 27, 2022, shooting in Hudspeth County that killed Sepúlveda and wounded Casias as they traveled with a group of migrants across the desert about four miles south of Sierra Blanca. The lawsuit alleges that Mike Sheppard, then the warden of the detention center, was acting in his role with LaSalle Corrections when the shooting occurred. His twin brother, Mark Sheppard, a Hudspeth County detention officer, was also present.

The complaint argues that because Mike Sheppard was on duty and using a company truck, his actions “impute liability to LaSalle Corrections.”

Shooting Details

According to the lawsuit, Sepúlveda, Casias, and about 13 other migrants had stopped near a reservoir to drink water when the Sheppard brothers pulled up in a truck assigned to Mike Sheppard. Mike allegedly exited the vehicle with a shotgun, leaned on the hood, and fired two rounds toward the group.

Sepúlveda was shot in the face and killed instantly, the lawsuit states. Casias was hit in the abdomen but survived. Witnesses said one of the brothers shouted in Spanish before the shots were fired.

Afterward, the Sheppards allegedly left the scene and continued to a scheduled water district board meeting, where Mike Sheppard participated in discussions.

Civil and Criminal Proceedings

The lawsuit seeks financial damages for Sepúlveda’s family and for Casias. The filing requests compensation for lost care, support, companionship, and for the mental anguish caused by Sepúlveda’s death. The amount sought is not specified, with the decision left for a jury to determine.

Attorneys for the victims’ families declined to comment ahead of the trial. LaSalle Corrections’ lawyer, Ancel Eric Escobar, also declined comment, citing the ongoing case.

Separately, Mike and Mark Sheppard were arrested in 2022 on suspicion of manslaughter and released on $250,000 bond each. However, no formal charges have been filed in the criminal case. The matter remains pending with the 34th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

Migrant’s Family Seeks Justice

Sepúlveda, who was from Durango, Mexico, had been headed to Austin in hopes of earning money for his young family. His death and the circumstances surrounding it drew widespread attention, raising questions about racism, border enforcement, and private prison operations in West Texas.

The civil trial beginning this week could determine whether LaSalle Corrections bears responsibility for the shooting.