local
An 18-year-old swim team member drowned at a lake. 2 teens are now charged with evidence tampering – but a family wants more
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 15, 2026
· 3 min read
By Holly Yan, CNN
(CNN) — A young athlete’s death has been mired in mystery since he drowned in a Texas lake three months ago. Now, two teens who were with him have been charged with evidence tampering – fueling anger and speculation about what happened to Daniel Erving.
The 18-year-old drown...
Key takeaway Authorities have now charged two teens – 19-year-old Lucas Roper and a juvenile – with evidence tampering, CNN affiliate WFAA reported.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The drowning of Daniel Erving at Lake Ray Hubbard has sent shockwaves through communities in Texas, including El Paso , where concerns about public safety and accountability are always paramount. As the Erving family seeks more answers and pushes for murder charges, El Pasoans are likely to be watching this case closely, given the city's own experiences with water-related tragedies and the importance of transparency in investigations. The fact that two teens have been charged with evidence tampering raises questions about the handling of evidence and the potential for cover-ups, which could have implications for how similar cases are handled in El Paso. The Erving family's decision to launch an independent investigation may also prompt local officials to re-examine their own protocols for investigating suspicious deaths and ensuring that families receive the justice they deserve.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 15, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 3 min
Get more The El Paso stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Holly Yan, CNN
(CNN) — A young athlete’s death has been mired in mystery since he drowned in a Texas lake three months ago. Now, two teens who were with him have been charged with evidence tampering – fueling anger and speculation about what happened to Daniel Erving.
The 18-year-old drown...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 15, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter