Edinburg teen found guilty of murder, sentenced to 37 years in prison

WESLACO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An Edinburg teen was sentenced to prison in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred more than two years ago in Weslaco.

A Hidalgo County judge found Mauricio Mata, 18, guilty of the murder of David Silva.

On Feb. 11, 2023, deputies responded to the shooting, where Silva was found with seven gunshot wounds.

Family members who witnessed the shooting identified Mata as the shooter.

Mauricio Mata was sent to prison after he was found guilty of the 2023 murder of David Silva. (Photo courtesy of Hidalgo County Jail Records)

Mata, who was 15 at the time of the shooting, reportedly ran away to Mexico after the shooting.

He was arrested at the Hidalgo International Port of Entry one month after he escaped.

"Be prepared to spend a considerable amount of time behind prison bars if you choose to commit violent crimes and wreak havoc on our community," Hidalgo County District Attorney Terry Palacios stated in a news release.

Mata was sentenced to 37 years in prison.