Man charged with murder in Fredericksburg convenience store robbery

Awes Singko Rapet, 21, was arrested and charged with capital murder on Wednesday, January 3, and is being held at the Gillespie County Jail, according to the Fredericksburg Police Department. He was taken into custody at a local motel, according to reports.

Police say officers responded to the shooting at a gas station around 11:45 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2, at a store in the 1000 block of State Highway 16. Upon arrival, they found a man with a gunshot wound and began performing life-saving measures. He was later pronounced dead and identified as 48-year-old Arthur Cortez. 

During the investigation, the on-duty store clerk told police Rapet had entered the store and went to the back to put on a white skull mask before he reportedly shot Cortez. Rapet also demanded money from the clerk before he fled the scene on foot, according to Fredericksburg police. 

Fredericksburg PD released a description of the person of interest at the time and called on the public to submit any information. 

Police received Crime Stoppers Tips and telephone information that led to the identification and location of Rapet on Wednesday afternoon. Detectives and Texas Rangers obtained a warrant, and he was taken into custody without incident before midnight Wednesday.