Big Spring, Texas — A routine Friday night in the 2600 block of Langley Drive turned tragic on January 9, 2026, when police say an armed man forced his way into a residence and was later shot and killed by a homeowner. The victim, 36-year-old Phillip Samuel Lozano, died at the scene after an encounter that left the tight-knit West Texas community shaken.
Just after 10:30 p.m. last Friday, Big Spring Police Department officers were sent to the Langley Drive neighborhood after neighbors reported gunshots and screams. When officers arrived, they found Joel Adrian Florez, 43, and a 40-year-old woman standing outside the house, visibly upset and calling for help. Florez immediately told police there was someone inside who had been shot.
Inside the home, officers discovered Lozano lying wounded. According to police statements, he had forced his way into the residence while carrying a weapon. Florez told investigators that Lozano had come in uninvited and posed a threat, leading him to fire his own weapon in defense of himself and others in the home.
Despite quick response from law enforcement and emergency personnel, Lozano was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Campbell. The news devastated neighbors who described Lozano as someone they knew from around town and remembered him fondly, making the sudden loss more painful for those close to both families.
In the hours that followed, detectives combed the scene for evidence. They spoke to both Florez and the woman who was at the house, reviewed surveillance footage from nearby homes and collected forensic data. By Saturday, investigators felt they had enough evidence to move forward with charges.
Police announced that Florez was arrested on a murder charge and booked into the Howard County Detention Center. Prosecutors say they have probable cause to charge him, though details about what evidence led to that decision have not been fully released. The case is now in the early stages of the legal process, and Florez remains in custody as attorneys prepare for the next steps in court.
Friends and neighbors of both families are struggling to make sense of what happened that night. Community members set up a small memorial near the scene where Lozano fell, leaving candles and flowers in his honor. Law enforcement officials continue to gather information and have asked anyone with additional footage or eyewitness details to come forward as the investigation continues.
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