San Antonio, Texas — A 43-year-old man has been charged with murder following a fatal shooting linked to a dispute over a vacant lot. The arrest of Simon Sanchez came just days after authorities announced a reward for information leading to his capture in connection with the death of 27-year-old Leonard Casias.
Sanchez, who is also facing charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, was taken into custody on Wednesday. His arrest follows a police investigation that focused on events leading to the shooting, which occurred late on October 12. According to police records, Sanchez reportedly confronted Casias in the 600 block of Jenull Avenue, telling him to leave the property.
Witness accounts reveal that an argument ensued before gunfire erupted. Medics found Casias unresponsive at the scene, and he was declared dead shortly after midnight. Alongside Casias, a 32-year-old woman sustained a gunshot wound to her hand and identified Sanchez as the shooter. She had known him for about a year prior to the incident.
The woman recounted to investigators that Sanchez ordered Casias to vacate the lot before he allegedly pulled the trigger. Witnesses living nearby corroborated her account, noting they had overheard an altercation before hearing multiple gunshots. One neighbor attempted to intervene, urging Casias to leave to avoid further conflict, yet the dispute continued.
In addition to this recent incident, records indicate that Sanchez had previously been identified as a suspect in a similar aggravated assault case in June, where he was accused of shooting another individual in the same vacant lot. However, that victim chose not to pursue charges.
Investigators stated that there is no evidence showing Sanchez had ownership or authority over the vacant site, raising questions about his motivations during both encounters. The identification process for Sanchez included photo lineups, where both the woman shot and the witness confirmed his involvement.
Currently, Sanchez remains in custody at the Bexar County jail, with his bail set at $550,000. His criminal history includes multiple prior convictions for offenses such as assault and evading arrest, heightening concerns regarding public safety and his potential flight risk. The local community is left grappling with the aftermath of this violent incident, underlining the ongoing issues of disputes escalating to deadly outcomes.