Man Arrested After Firing Gun in Hotel Parking Lot

Police say 22-year-old admitted to recklessly discharging firearm multiple times

Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:55am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single 9mm shell casing on a dark, textured surface, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the aftermath of the hotel parking lot shooting incident.A single spent shell casing from the hotel parking lot shooting highlights the dangerous aftermath of reckless gun use.College Station Today

A 22-year-old man named Jorge Luis Cruz Jr. was arrested in College Station, Texas on Friday night after admitting to police that he had fired a handgun multiple times in the parking lot of a local hotel. Cruz was charged with recklessly discharging a firearm within the city limits.

Why it matters

Discharging firearms in public places poses a serious risk to public safety and can lead to unintended injuries or property damage. This incident highlights the need for responsible gun ownership and the importance of swift law enforcement action to address reckless behavior involving firearms.

The details

According to the police report, officers responded to calls about gunshots in the parking lot of the Hawthorn Hotel on University Drive. When they arrived, they encountered a group of men drinking and urinating on vehicles. After frisking the individuals, police spoke with Cruz, who was the only one in the group who spoke English. Cruz admitted to firing a Glock handgun 15-20 minutes prior, stating he got 'trigger happy' and shot into the ground several times. Police located seven 9mm shell casings in the area where Cruz said he fired the weapon.

  • On April 11, 2026, police received a call about gunshots in the Hawthorn Hotel parking lot around 10 PM.

The players

Jorge Luis Cruz Jr.

A 22-year-old man who was arrested and charged with recklessly discharging a firearm within the city limits of College Station, Texas.

College Station Police Department

The law enforcement agency that responded to the reports of gunshots and arrested Cruz.

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What they’re saying

“I shot a glock”

— Jorge Luis Cruz Jr.

“I fired the weapon 15 to 20 minutes before police got there, and pointed to a dumpster north of the hotel parking lot as the location.”

— Jorge Luis Cruz Jr.

“I fired it several times because I got 'trigger happy' and shot into the ground.”

— Jorge Luis Cruz Jr.

What’s next

Cruz is being held in the Brazos County Jail on a $10,000 bond. It is unclear if he will face any additional charges related to the incident.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of reckless gun use and the importance of responsible firearm ownership. While no one was injured, the discharging of a weapon in a public place could have had devastating consequences. It underscores the need for continued vigilance and swift action by law enforcement to address such behavior and protect public safety.