Girlfriend of Alamo man claims he was forced to shoot Donna teen

EDINBURG — The fourth day of the murder trial involving a former PSJA Memorial baseball player, who is accused of shooting and killing a Donna High School student on Jan. 14, 2020, revealed significant details into the moment the murder took place as the suspect’s girlfriend took the stand.

Miranda Luna, 21, was called to testify Thursday morning. She told the court that Carlos Julian Contreras, 23, was forced at gunpoint by an individual named “Jorge” to pull the trigger when 19-year-old Genaro Isaiah “Izzy” Castillo was killed.

Contreras has been on trial on a murder charge since Monday for the fatal shooting. He has pleaded not guilty.

The parents of Carlos Julian Contreras, Roy and Cynthia are seen after a recess for his trial with Judge Singleterry-Lopez in the 476th state District Court at the Hidalgo County Courthouse Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, in Edinburg. (Delcia Lopez | dlopez@themonitor.com)

On Thursday, Luna, who was 15 years old at the time, said that she was in the vehicle when the shooting took place.

Luna described Contreras as her husband though they are not legally married. She said that she has lived with the suspect and his family since she was 15 years old. At the time of Castillo’s death, she and Contreras had been dating for about a month.

She recalled the day of the murder. She said that earlier in the day while she was at school, an individual named Elijah Velasquez had made some inappropriate comments toward her as he held a door open for her.

Velasquez, who testified earlier Thursday morning, denied saying anything inappropriate. However, he did admit to flirting with Luna.

Afterward, she said that she messaged Contreras, who was a student at PSJA Memorial. She said that Contreras told her that he would talk to Velasquez.

A screenshot showed a message sent from Contreras to Luna on Snapchat that read, “Tell him that I said he better stop calling you baby cuz then me and him gonna have a problem.”

Another screenshot showed a message from Contreras’s account asking Luna for Velasquez’s social media handle.

“Just pass me his snap,” a message read.

According to Luna, her friend identified as Victoria began sending her messages on Snapchat about the incident. Screenshots showed that Victoria told Luna that Castillo was trying to defend Velasquez.

Luna responded saying, “My bf (Contreras) called him (Castillo) a true brother last night.” Another read, “After all that my boyfriend has done for him.”

She said that she told Contreras about what she’d learned through the messages.

Miranda Luna takes the stand Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, during the trial of Carlos Julian Contreras at the Hidalgo County Courthouse in Edinburg. Luna testified her boyfriend, Contreras, was forced at gunpoint by an individual named “Jorge” to pull the trigger when Genaro Isaiah “Izzy” Castillo was killed. (Francisco E. Jimenez | The Monitor)

Prosecutors showed video surveillance from outside Donna High School later that afternoon. Luna could be seen talking with Castillo and his brother, Nathan, as well as Velasquez and another individual believed to be Velasquez’s younger brother.

Luna said that shortly after the clip, Nathan, Velasquez and his brother left while she and Castillo were picked up by Contreras. She recalled sitting in the passenger seat while Castillo sat behind her.

She said that Contreras and Castillo appeared to be fine. She recalled that the two teenagers were talking about weekend plans.

It was then that Castillo allegedly pulled a black gun from under the back seat. She said that Castillo remarked that the gun was “cool.”

“He was excited about it,” Luna said. “He wanted to try it out.”

She said that Contreras drove his truck to an area in South Alamo where he would regularly hunt for rabbits. It was there that Contreras allowed Castillo to fire the gun at a pile of pallets and tires.

They were there for roughly an hour, according to Luna, before an individual named “Jorge” wanted them to pick him up.

She said that did not know him very well, but knew him to socialize with Contreras and Castillo. She added that she believed that “Jorge” was involved with drugs, but could not say if Contreras or Castillo had ever worked with him.

The Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office previously said that investigators have found no evidence that this individual existed.

She recalled going to Whataburger in Alamo with Contreras, Castillo and “Jorge” the night before. She said that afterward, “Jorge” told Contreras to follow him. It was then that she saw “Jorge” hand Contreras a gun, but she said that she did not know why. She said that Contreras looked uncomfortable after receiving the gun.

Marked evidence sits on a table during the trial of Carlos Julian Contreras in the 476th state District Court at the Hidalgo County Courthouse on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Luna said that after they picked up “Jorge” on the afternoon of Jan. 14, 2020, he sat in the backseat behind Contreras. She described him as acting angry toward Castillo, who appeared scared and worried.

She said that “Jorge” took the gun from Castillo and pointed it at him.

“I was pretty shocked and scared,” she recalled. She said that Contreras appeared to be shocked and scared as well.

She said that “Jorge” told Contreras to drive to Donna Lake. Once there, they parked next to a sugar cane field. She said that “Jorge” instructed Contreras and Castillo to exit the vehicle. She remained inside.

Luna, who remained inside the truck, said that “Jorge” handed the gun to Contreras and told him to point it at Castillo. She said that “Jorge” pulled his own gun from his waist and pointed it at Contreras. She claims that she heard “Jorge” tell Contreras that Castillo owed him money and to finish him.

She testified that Contreras told “Jorge,” “Please don’t make me.”

She also said that she heard Castillo tell Contreras, “I love you bro. It’s OK.” It was shortly after that she heard gunshots.

While she recalled Castillo’s last moments, Contreras appeared visibly distraught in the courtroom. He sobbed and hung his head as an emotional Luna continued.

Carlos Julian Contreras walks from the courtroom during a break in his trial in the 476th state District Court at the Hidalgo County Courthouse on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

She said that “Jorge” got into the driver’s seat of the truck while Contreras got into the back. “Jorge” allegedly drove the truck back to where he’d been picked up earlier. She said that he wiped the steering wheel and the door handle with his jacket before taking the gun from Contreras.

It was then that “Jorge” threatened her and Contreras, saying that if they spoke to anyone, “they” would be watching.

She described Contreras as crying as they drove back to his parent’s home. She recalled him telling her not to be afraid of him. “He kept saying, ‘He made me do it. Please don’t see me as a monster. Forgive me.’”

Luna recalled Contreras being taken into police custody later that evening. The following day, investigators went to her parents’ home. Her parents gave permission for them to speak to their daughter.

She gave the first of two interviews with investigators. She said that shortly afterward, she began receiving threats that she believes to be from students at Donna High School — adding that it caused her parents to begin homeschooling her.

Prosecutors asked Luna about a meeting at the Hidalgo County Clerk’s Office on Sept. 5. It was then that she signed an immunity agreement in the presence of her personal attorney — who she said she hired in order to protect her rights.

Luna is expected to continue her testimony Friday morning.

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