The Murder of Jose Pina
For this case, I watched an episode of The Murder Tapes. It’s season 8 episode 3, titled ‘Follow the Tracks.’
A man is killed just a week shy of his 24th birthday.
Background
Jose Armando Pina was described as kind, and very close to his family. Jose’s mom, Margarita Davila, said Jose was very hardworking, and would often ask her if she needed money or food. Margarita would always tell Jose no, but he helped to support her.
Jose Pina
The 911 Call
On March 30, 2019, the Bryan, Texas police received a 911 call. The caller told the dispatcher that his cousin had just been shot. The caller could also be heard talking to someone else in the background, and said they saw the shooter run away.
Scott Jones, an officer with the Bryan police, responded to the scene on West Virginia Street. Jose’s brother was now at the scene, and told Officer Jones that the shooter was a white male, blonde hair, and had been wearing a black shirt and a green bandana.
Jose’s brother was applying pressure to Jose’s wound. When the police opened the door, they realized the car was covered in blood. The blood had reached the passenger seat. Jose had been shot in the chest. He was rushed to the hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries. He was only a week away from his 24th birthday.
The Eyewitnesses
When the police had arrived, there were several of Jose’s family members at the scene. Jose’s cousin had made the 911 call, but had left the scene, which was odd to the police.
Near Jose’s car, the police found a tent. Inside, the police found a small amount of weed. The police wondered if this could be a drug related incident.
The witnesses at the scene said that the shooter had fired one shot. The police found a shell casing about 1o feet away from the car in the grass.
The police canvassed the area, and brought a canine team in to track the shooter’s scent. There were several paths that someone could’ve had taken to leave the area. But, many eyewitnesses told the police that the shooter had fled near the railroad tracks. A flip flop was found on the path, and it sent in for testing.
A Motive
The Pina family gave the police the contact information for Jose’s cousin who had left the scene. He had agreed to be interviewed at the police station.
Jose’s cousin said he was talking to his cousin when the shooter approached them. He also gave the same description of the shooter that Jose’s brother had given. The shooter was a white male, blonde, and was wearing a green bandana. He also told the police that the shooter had fled to the path near the railroad tracks.
Jose’s cousin was asked what the motive could be for the shooting. The police could tell he was very apprehensive. The police soon realized that it was most likely a drug related crime, and told Jose’s cousin that they were treating it as a aggravated robbery and murder, not a drug case.
Jose’s cousin said that the shooter had approached them, and asked for his wallet. Jose's cousin said he was pushed and a gun was pointed at him first. He threw his wallet at him, but the shooter noticed that Jose had money in his car. Jose refused to give the shooter his money, so he was shot.
Jose’s cousin said he didn’t know the shooter, but saw Jose’s expression, and realized he might’ve known who had killed him. He told the police that there was only one white male that they sold drugs to, and would check with friends and social media to get his name.
This male that Jose’s cousin was referring was ruled out as being a suspect. He was larger than the shooter was described as being, and had an alibi.
The White Car
On March 31, 2019, the police received more information. First, Jose’s brother was interviewed. He had spoken to several witnesses, who claimed they had seen the shooter getting into a white Geo Metro.
A carpenter in the area confirmed that he had seen a white car in the area. He saw the car approach the area where Jose had been shot, and heard a “pow.” He described the car as being a small car, with 4 doors, and a bumper sticker on the back. He also said the car had a very bad tint job on the back window.
A BOLO (be on the lookout) was released to neighboring jurisdictions. On April 1, 2019, a car matching the description was spotted. It belonged to a female, who lived about 6 miles from the crime scene.
The police were surveilling the car, and pulled it over during a traffic stop. Inside the car, there were two males. The younger male was identified as Cameron Krumrey, 30, and the older male was his dad. Cameron matched the description of the shooter.
Cameron said that they were taking the car in for a paint job, and that the car was his fiancé’s car. The police asked Cameron if they could look through the car, but Cameron said he didn’t think they needed to. The police found a rifle in the trunk, and Cameron had a knife on him.
Cameron refused to let the police check his body for any scratches. The shooter would’ve had to run through brush while leaving the scene, so they believed he would have scratches all over his body. Cameron was wearing long sleeves at the time that he was pulled over.
The Evidence
The car was towed to the police department for testing, and a search warrant was obtained for Cameron’s fiancé’s home.
In Cameron’s room, the police found several “go bags,” which contained drugs, weapons, food, and survival gear. There was also a large amount of cash found in the home. The police knew that Jose’s money had been taken from the crime scene.
The police also found some evidence in the backyard shed. In a Rubbermaid tub, the police found a pistol in a garbage bag. It was consistent with the type of gun used to kill Jose. The ammunition was also the same type and caliber as the shell casing found at the scene. The police also found the clothing items and a single flip flop in the shed. The shoe matched the flip flop found on the path near the railroad tracks.
Cameron was arrested, but was told he was being arrested for aggravated robbery.
The Conviction
During Cameron’s interrogation, he maintained that he was at home with his dad and fiancé on the day of the murder. The police asked spoken to them, and neither of them could say for sure he was there all day.
Cameron was told that someone matching his description and vehicle description was seen in Bryan at the time of the murder. Cameron asked for a lawyer.
Cameron was asked to take off his shirt to be photographed. He was covered in scratches on his arms, legs and feet.
The police also caught one last big break. The murder was captured on surveillance cameras. The white car was seen driving into the area. The shooter, believed to be Cameron, can then be seen approaching Jose and his cousin. Jose’s cousin is pushed, but he gives up his wallet while the gun is being pointed at him.
Jose refused to give up his money, so he was shot. Cameron is then seen running away from the scene in the direction of the railroad tracks.
Cameron Krumrey pled guilty and was sentenced to 50 years in prison.
Cameron Krumrey
FINAL THOUGHTS
There could have been several deaths that day. Jose’s cousin might have saved his life by giving Cameron his wallet. Jose didn’t deserve to die just because he refused to give up his money. It wasn’t really explained whether or not Cameron and Jose knew each other, but Cameron must’ve known that Jose had money. Jose wanted to someday have a family of his own, but that chance was taken away from him.
Sources
https://thecinemaholic.com/jose-pina-murder-where-is-cameron-krumrey-now/
https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/where-jose-armando-pina-s-shooter-cameron-krumrey-now
https://www.kbtx.com/2021/09/23/bryan-man-indicted-2019-murder-sentenced-50-years-prison/
