McAllen police identify murder suspect in killing of Hidalgo County appraisal board member

McAllen police on Monday identified a suspect and issued a murder warrant in the shooting death of Eddy Betancourt, a Mission businessman and member of the Hidalgo County Appraisal District Board of Directors, who was killed inside his office on Saturday.

The McAllen Police Department identified 60-year-old Reynaldo Mata-Rios as a suspect in the homicide, and he is now wanted on a first-degree felony murder charge, according to a warrant issued by the McAllen Municipal Court.

Police have not released additional details about the motive or circumstances surrounding the shooting and said further information will be provided as the investigation continues.

Investigators initially delayed identifying Mata-Rios publicly to allow him to surrender voluntarily.

“The suspect indicated his intent to surrender to the McAllen Police Department for this charge but has not done so to date,” police said in a news release Monday. 

Mata-Rios is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 6 feet tall, weighing 195 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. His last known address is in Pharr, police said.

The investigation remains active, and McAllen police said they are working in coordination with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to locate and arrest the suspect.

Authorities urged anyone with information related to the case to contact McAllen Crime Stoppers at 956-687-TIPS (8477). Tips may also be submitted anonymously through the P3 Tips smartphone application. Information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward, police said.

Betancourt’s killing drew widespread attention across the Rio Grande Valley business community due to his role in local commercial development and his public service on the county appraisal board and on the Texas Facilities Commission, among other posts he held. .