Texas Governor’s Appointee Shot and Killed in Border City
In a shocking incident that has rocked the border community of McAllen, Texas, prominent businessman Eddy Betancourt was found fatally shot at a local establishment this past weekend. The 61-year-old Mission resident, who served as an appointee to the Texas Facilities Commission under Governor Greg Abbott, was discovered unresponsive with gunshot wounds after emergency services received a distressing 911 call on Saturday afternoon. First responders arriving at the scene on North Ware Road confirmed Betancourt had no pulse, and authorities have since classified his death as a homicide, sending ripples through both the local community and state government circles.
The McAllen Police Department has moved swiftly in their investigation, identifying 60-year-old Reynaldo Mata-Rios as the primary suspect. A murder warrant—a first-degree felony charge—was promptly issued by the McAllen Municipal Court. According to police statements, Mata-Rios had communicated his intention to surrender to authorities, though as of Sunday afternoon, he remained at large. Law enforcement has released a physical description of the suspect, describing him as a 6-foot-tall man weighing approximately 195 pounds, with brown hair and eyes, as they continue their search efforts throughout the Rio Grande Valley area.
Betancourt’s connection to state leadership added a dimension of public significance to this tragedy. Governor Abbott had initially appointed him to the Texas Facilities Commission in 2020, an important governmental body responsible for overseeing the construction, maintenance, and leasing of state-owned buildings throughout Texas. His expertise and service were clearly valued, as evidenced by his reappointment in 2023 to a term that would have extended until 2029. This position put Betancourt at the intersection of public service and infrastructure development, making his sudden and violent death all the more impactful for both his colleagues in government and the communities he served.
Beyond his governmental role, Betancourt was deeply embedded in the business fabric of the Rio Grande Valley region. As president of R&B General Construction Co. Inc., he led a significant commercial enterprise in the area. His entrepreneurial activities extended further as co-owner and president of National Tire and Wheel LLC, while also serving as a general retail partner manager for E2H Investment. His business acumen was complemented by service on the Hidalgo County Appraisal District Board of Directors, and he maintained professional connections through memberships in both the McAllen Board of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors. This extensive involvement in both commerce and community affairs speaks to Betancourt’s standing as a multifaceted leader whose influence stretched across various sectors of local society.
The investigation into Betancourt’s death continues with authorities working diligently to piece together the circumstances surrounding this tragic event. Police have not yet released information regarding a potential motive, leaving many questions unanswered as the community grapples with the loss of a respected figure. The shooting has heightened concerns in McAllen, a border city that like many in the region faces complex challenges related to its geographic position. Local residents now await further developments in the case while remembering the contributions of a man who straddled the worlds of business and public service throughout his career.
As the search for Mata-Rios continues and the investigation unfolds, both local and state officials are confronting the reality of this loss. The Texas Facilities Commission has lost a dedicated member whose expertise in construction and real estate development informed the state’s approach to managing its physical infrastructure. Governor Abbott’s office faces the solemn task of addressing this vacancy while acknowledging the tragic circumstances of Betancourt’s passing. Meanwhile, the business community in the Rio Grande Valley mourns one of its prominent members—a leader whose diverse enterprises contributed to the region’s economic vitality and whose sudden absence leaves a void across multiple organizations and institutions that benefited from his involvement and guidance.
