Two people tragically lost their lives as bullets broke the air on a lively Saturday night at San Antonio, Texas’s Historic Market Square. Mikey Valdez, whose mother Gabrielle Rodriguez was crying, was one of them; he was 18 years old. Anarchy had broken out near the intersection of South Santa Rosa and Dolorosa, and the San Antonio police were on the scene quickly.
Valdez allegedly started the confrontation by shooting at a 20-year-old guy before trying to evade police, according to reports. Valdez was killed as police officers opened fire during the subsequent mayhem. The horrific death toll from the events of that night was further increased when the 20-year-old victim also passed away from his injuries.
No one knows what happened before the shooting, so both the police and the community are trying to figure it out. A description by Police Chief William McManus describing the location as a “active crime scene” suggests that the inquiry is intricate. Fortunately, just two of the six witnesses who were injured did not require life-threatening medical attention after the incident.
Historic Market Square is always bustling with people from all over for the Fiesta festival, which is where the incident took place. During Fiesta season, the area is usually teeming with bustle as people enjoy cultural events, music, and food. The neighborhood was shocked and in despair as the sounds of gunfire shattered the joyful ambiance.
The discovery of two weapons at the location by the police after the shooting provided more evidence of the aggressive character of the confrontation. We are waiting to hear from the families of the victims before revealing their identities. The public can be reassured by Chief McManus that law enforcement is working tirelessly to piece together the events leading up to the unfortunate tragedy as the investigation continues.
The community struggled to come to terms with the needless deaths and unanswered questions that followed the massacre as word of it spread. San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg has sent his deepest sympathies to the victims’ families and has called on the city’s inhabitants to rally behind one another in this time of tragedy.
Tragedies marred what should have been a joyful and communal Fiesta celebration, highlighting the difficulties communities encounter when trying to combat gun violence. Justice for the victims and accountability for the perpetrators are priorities for the government as the inquiry progresses.
We will continue to update you as more information becomes available; this is a developing story.