Warrants: 2016 shooting death of Longview businessman was murder-for-hire plot (2024)

A family dispute led a then 79-year-old man to hire someone to kill Longview businessman Ron Horaney in 2016, according to information filed to obtain arrest warrants for two suspects in the homicide.

Reza Kamali, now 87, was arrested Tuesday night at the home he shares just outside Longview with his son, Longview Dr. Kayvan Kamali, and daughter-in-law. He was arraigned Wednesday in the 124th District Court with Judge Alfonso Charles setting Kamali’s bond at $7.5 million on the murder charge.

Kamali was escorted into court wearing a black and white jail jumpsuit, with his arms connected to a chain wrapped around his waist.

The man suspected of pulling the trigger, 38-year-old Alfredo Lizcano, was arrested Wednesday morning in Dallas County on a Gregg County warrant charging him with murder. His bond was set at $10 million.

While his arrest warrant states he now has a Garland address, the arrest documents state he lived in Longview about the time of the murder.

Texas Ranger Mykel Golden filed to obtain the arrest warrants this week, using information that linked the suspects to the case within a month or two after the homicide. Horaney was gunned down at his Tryon Road home shortly after 7 p.m. May 30, 2016, during a Memorial Day gathering. Additional information in 2020 and then on April 18 led up to the arrests this week.

Evidence at the scene indicated a revolver pistol was used to kill Horaney, Golden’s report states.

The report also states an unidentified person with information about the case contacted investigators on June 10, 2016, within days of the killing.

That person said a “Ray Kamali,” later identified as Reza Kamali, had contacted the unidentified person about two years earlier. That person said Kamali had then wanted Horaney “killed up close and personal because of a family dispute.” The unidentified person described Kamali as having a son who is a rheumatologist and said Reza Kamali offered to “pay a large sum of U.S. currency to murder Horaney.”

On June 22, 2016, investigators with the Texas Rangers, Longview Police Department and Gregg County Sheriff’s Office were watching the elder Kamali at Rheumatology Association of Longview on Judson Road. They followed him as he left the office and drive to a fast food restaurant in Dallas.

“Investigators observed Kamali meeting with a Hispanic male, driving a Dodge Challenger, who got into the ... car with Kamali,” the reports states. “Investigators observed a short time later the Hispanic male exited the (car) with what appeared to be a plastic shopping bag.”

Investigators then followed the Challenger, and a state trooper stopped the car for a traffic violation.

Lizcano, the second suspect arrested this week, was identified as the driver. Rene Paul Garcia Jr., now 26, was in the passenger seat. Investigators determined Lizcano was the man who met with Reza Kamali at the restaurant.

Garcia Jr. later was determined to be Lizcano’s half-brother

Investigators determined who the Dodge was registered to — not Lizcano — and spoke to that person on Nov. 20, 2020, the report states. That person reported seeing Lizcano spend time with Kamali several times.

On April 18, about a week ago, investigators met with Garcia Jr. and showed him a photo lineup that included Reza Kamali. Garcia Jr. identified Kamali’s photo as the man he knew as “Tony.”

Garcia Jr. told investigators that around the time of Horaney’s murder, Lizcano called him and said he “was going to do a job and murder someone. Garcia Jr. told investigators that Lizcano sent Garcia Jr. to meet with (Reza) Kamali to pick up a box which Garcia Jr. believed to be payment for the murders. Garcia Jr. told investigators that Garcia Jr. knew Lizcano committed the murder because Lizcano called him the day it happened and Lizcano said he did it.”

Investigators verified information Garcia Jr. provided through evidence found on a mobile phone.

Investigators also returned to the original person who reported Kamali trying to hire that person kill Horaney. That person identified Reza Kamali in a photo lineup this week.

“Investigators obtained call detail records from cellular telephone providers which indicate communication between Kamali, Lizcano and Garcia Jr. before and after the murder of the victim,” the report states.

Gregg County District Attorney John Moore on Wednesday asked for Charles to give Kamali a $10 million bond, considering his wealth and ability to leave the country. The murder was facilitated by money, he said.

Reva Kamali is represented by Longview attorney David Moore, who said the elderly man has “substantial medical issues.” Kamali also was willing to surrender his passport, David Moore said. Also, he said his client denies the allegations, and they intended to “mount a defense.”

The defense attorney also said that seven or eight years later, Kamali has not harmed or threatened anyone. Also, he said the man has one previous misdemeanor arrest. David Moore suggested a $1 million bond would be sufficient.

Charles, however, said the court had to consider the “heinous” nature of the crime and set the $7.5 million bond.

— Jo Lee Ferguson can be reached at jferguson@news-journal.com.