Victor Orellana-Carranza was convicted of killing Neithan Jadiel Montenegro-Chavarriaon on Hammermill Run near South Pleasant Valley in May 2025.
AUSTIN, Texas — A man has been sentenced for the 2025 murder of a 15-year-old in southeast Austin, the Travis County District Attorney’s Office announced on Monday.
Victor Orellana-Carranza, 39, was convicted by a Travis County jury on Aug. 18 for the murder of Neithan Jadiel Montenegro-Chavarria.
Jury selection for the trial began on Aug. 14 with the state presenting evidence on Aug. 17, the DA’s office said. On Aug. 18, the jury deliberated and found him guilty of the crime. He was sentenced to 40 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ).
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This comes after the Austin Police Department (APD) arrested Orellana-Carranza on May 4, 2025, in connection with the shooting death of Montenegro-Chavarria.
Officers responded after a shooting was reported in the 5700 block of Hammermill Run, near South Pleasant Valley Road and East Stassney Lane. When officers arrived to the scene, Montenegro-Chavarria was found with gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators said Orellana-Carranza went to the home looking for his 2-year-old son, whose mother lived there. The home was occupied by the child’s mother, her 16-year-old son and Montenegro-Chavarria, the teen’s friend.
Orellana-Carranza entered the home and assaulted the child’s mother, investigators said. Her son and Montenegro-Chavarria intervened, leading to a physical altercation among the three.
Investigators said Orellana-Carranza left the home, came back with a gun and fired at the two teens. Montenegro-Chavarria was struck before Orellana-Carranza fled.
Police found and arrested Orellana-Carranza later that day. Orellana-Carranza admitted shooting Montenegro-Chavarria, the DA’s office said, as he attempted to flee the country.
A grand jury indicted Orellana-Carranza on a murder charge July 24, 2025.