Lubbock teen shares lessons learned after shooting, robbery in South Lubbock

By Avery Dishaw and Riley Nester

Aaron Assiter continues to recover after being shot in the Drug Emporium parking lot on Aug. 25. (Aaron Assiter/Aaron’s Army Facebook Page)

On Aug. 25, at about 1:30 a.m., police responded to a 911 call from 18-year-old Aaron Assiter who said he had been shot outside of a South Lubbock business before crashing his vehicle into the building, according to the Lubbock Police Department’s news release.

Police arrived at Drug Emporium, located at 5109 82nd St., after Assiter told police dispatch he was “bleeding from everywhere.”

“I guess out of reflex, I slammed on the gas, slammed into the brick building,” Assiter said. “I sat there for probably 15 to 20 minutes and watched the blood pour from my neck.”

He was then transported to University Medical Center, according to the police report.

Assiter’s mother, Melissa Assiter, said he was struck on his right side, causing serious damage to his spinal cord. Melissa said doctors said there could be a chance of him becoming a quadriplegic. Aaron, Melissa said, has been recovering at a medical care facility in Denver, Colorado.

Lubbock Police Department’s Public Information Officer Allison Matherly said  the conflict started as a result of a “drug deal gone wrong.”

According to the police report, four suspects attempted to rob Aaron of four THC cartridges, eventually shooting him in the back of the neck through his car window while he sat in the driver’s seat.

Matherly said video footage allowed investigators to determine there were several individuals involved in the shooting.

According to an LPD news release, officers and investigators with the LPD, U.S. Marshals Service, Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office, and Texas Anti-Gang Unit have apprehended four suspects in connection with the shooting:

• 17-year-old Tanner James Stone
• 22-year-old Luis Alcadio Munoz
• 24-year-old Rodrick Jordan Estrada
• an unnamed 16-year-old juvenile

Stone was located in the 1300 block of 59th Street and arrested on Sept. 1  at about 1 p.m., and Munoz was arrested on Sept. 3, both for aggravated robbery, according to the news release.

According to the news release, Estrada and a 16-year-old juvenile were located days later in Decatur, Georgia, where they were arrested.

Melissa said the incident left her shocked and saddened as she described Aaron as a “fun-loving kid who has never been in trouble with the law.”

Aaron Assiter continues to recover after being shot in the Drug Emporium parking lot on Aug. 25. (Aaron Assiter/Aaron’s Army Facebook Page)

She said she suspected Aaron was participating in illegal activity prior to the shooting, so she took his vehicle away, but he had access to a rental car which was the vehicle he was  shot in, eventually crashing it into the business.

Agreeing with Melissa, Aaron said he started participating in criminal activity, but this incident has changed his life.

“(I) just started going down the wrong path, but I’m here now, and I believe I have a purpose,” he said.

Showing signs of change and inspiration, Aaron is detailing his progress through social media platforms such as Instagram.

“I have movement coming back in my left arm and a whole lot of movement in my left hand. I am still currently paralyzed from
the nipple line down, but I recently got slight tingling in my legs,” he said. “I am gonna fight like hell and get through this. God’s got my back.”

In addition to his progress and eye-opening experience, Aaron had one final message for youth.

“Your choices have consequences,” he said. “Think before you act.”

Stone, Munoz and Estrada are currently being held in the Lubbock County Detention Center as they await trial.

To follow Aaron’s progress, visit his Facebook page here.