Pharr teen charged in connection to stabbing

PHARR, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Pharr teen reportedly stabbed an old friend following an argument, according to a criminal affidavit obtained by ValleyCentral.

Fernando Gaytan, 17, is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to Hidalgo County Jail Records.

At 10:18 p.m. on July 11, Pharr police responded to a stabbing at the 400 block of W. Ridge Road, according to a criminal affidavit.

At the scene, authorities spoke with the involved party, where they learned that the victim got into an argument with an old friend, later identified as Gaytan.

According to the witness, the argument was over Gaytan talking about the victim's father. The witness reported Gaytan told the victim to meet by a vape shop located at the 1500 block of S. Jackson Road to fight. There, Gaytan approached the victim, pulled out a knife, and stabbed him.

Authorities say that surveillance footage obtained by the smoke shop shows Gaytan walking towards Old Ridge Road and a black pickup truck parked on Old Ridge Road facing eastbound.

Fernando Gaytan (Source: Hidalgo County Jail Records)

Footage shows a man, later identified as the victim, getting off the passenger's side and Gaytan waving at him to come from across some bushes, the affidavit details.

Gaytan lifted his shirt and began pacing before walking toward the victim, who was walking toward the back of the vehicle and the fight began.

According to police, the footage showed Gaytan walking and what appeared to be holding a shiny object, which he dropped on the grassy area.

The object was later found to be a black folding pocket knife, according to the affidavit.

According to police, video footage shows Gaytan walking towards the vape shop covered with blood stains on his white shirt, going to the bathroom and cleaning himself before running out the door.

Gaytan was later arrested and booked. He was issued a $50,000 bond and released on July 12 on a surety bond.