Montgomery Man Shot Dead; Suspect Charged
Montgomery mourns Raul "Lito" Serrato Jr., 21, a 2020 MHS grad, fatally shot Nov 17. Daniel Rivera, 24, is charged with murder, held without bond,
MONTGOMERY, Texas — The Montgomery community is mourning the loss of 21-year-old Raul "Lito" Serrato Jr., a 2020 Montgomery High School graduate whose life was cut short by a fatal shooting last week.
Friends and family gathered last Wednesday, November 22, at the Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Montgomery to hold services for Serrato. Following the memorial, he was laid to rest at the Montgomery City Cemetery.
The circumstances surrounding his death have left many in the area shocked. According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to a shooting call at The Grove apartments, located at 2525 FM 1488 near The Woodlands, during the early morning hours of Friday, November 17.
Upon arrival, first responders discovered Serrato suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving attempts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators identified 24-year-old Daniel Rivera as the primary suspect. According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, lead investigator Detective S. Sikes determined that the altercation between Serrato and Rivera was fueled by a personal dispute involving a woman. Authorities allege that Rivera became incensed after learning that Serrato had been exchanging text messages with his girlfriend.
Rivera was taken into custody shortly after the shooting and is currently being held at the Montgomery County Jail. He has been formally charged with murder and is being held without bond. Court records indicate his initial appearance is scheduled for December 12.
For the Serrato family, the loss is immeasurable. In the days since the tragedy, his father, Raul Serrato Sr., mother, Kimberly Serrato, and aunt, Yvette Serrato, have shared memories of a young man who was defined by his optimism and warmth. Loved ones remember "Lito" as a bright presence who was rarely seen without a smile, an avid sports fan, and a hardworking individual who had recently been employed at a local car wash.
The investigation remains ongoing. Residents with additional information regarding the incident are encouraged to contact the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at 936-760-5800 or reach out to Multi-County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-392-STOP (7867).
As the community processes this loss, a memorial fund has been suggested by family friends to assist the Serrato family with funeral expenses. Details on how to contribute can be found through the Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home’s official website at https://www.shmfh.com.