BEXAR COUNTY, Texas — A tragic incident early Tuesday morning left a driver dead in a neighborhood northeast of San Antonio, with investigators from the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office suggesting the shooter had tracked the victim’s location prior to the fatal encounter.
According to Deputy Johnny Garcia, a public information officer for the sheriff’s office, evidence suggests the assailant may have used social media or a cellphone application to monitor the driver. Garcia provided updates to the media at the scene, located in the 8100 block of Steep Valley, near FM 78 and Walzem Road.
Deputies arrived shortly after 3:30 a.m. in response to reports of a car crash. Upon arrival, they learned that a neighbor had attempted to aid the victim, who was found slumped inside a vehicle that had collided with a parked car. The driver, suffering from two gunshot wounds to his upper body, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators later discovered that the shooting occurred a short distance away from where the vehicle crashed. Evidence at the scene included a firearm found outside a residence where multiple windows appeared to have been shattered, indicating that shots may have been fired from inside the home.
A nearby resident reported hearing gunfire followed by a crash. This individual, who chose to remain anonymous, noted that while they were somewhat accustomed to violence, the incident was shocking in their usually quiet neighborhood.
Another neighbor, Javier Canul, expressed his surprise at the heavy police presence that included multiple officers and a helicopter, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.
Investigators have indicated that the shooting may be linked to an ongoing feud between the victim and individuals residing in the home where the firearm was discovered. “There seems to be some sort of dispute between the victim and several people in that residence,” Garcia stated.
Authorities took at least five individuals into custody for questioning, some of whom were reportedly minors, though no immediate arrests were made. The victim has yet to be formally identified, but Garcia indicated he appeared to be in his late teens or early 20s.
Adding to the complexity of the case, it was revealed that the vehicle the victim was driving had been reported stolen the previous evening. As the investigation unfolds, authorities are working diligently to piece together the circumstances surrounding this tragic loss of life.