San Antonio Community in Shock After Deadly Shooting
In a grim turn of events, San Antonio is grappling with the aftermath of a deadly shooting that recently claimed the life of a local man outside a basketball gym. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of April 26, has left many in the South Side community feeling distraught and searching for answers.
The Tragic Incident
The victim, 27-year-old Xavier Perez, was known for his passion for basketball. According to witnesses, Xavier and his brother would frequent the gym every Thursday night to shoot hoops, a routine they cherished. However, what should have been a usual night out turned into a scene of horror around 12:15 a.m. when gunfire erupted.
Surveillance footage reveals a silver SUV pulling up outside the gym just before the shooting. Two men, seated in the front and rear of the SUV, began shooting at Xavier. The chaos escalated quickly, as the man in the rear of the vehicle stepped out and fired multiple shots at close range, leaving Xavier with severe injuries.
The Arrests
As investigators pieced together the events of that fateful night, they discovered a timeline that suggested intent and premeditation. An arrest affidavit cites that just weeks before the shooting, one of the suspects, 25-year-old Justin Eaton, allegedly threatened Xavier’s brother, leading authorities to suspect a deeper motive behind the attack.
Along with Eaton, two others – Diontay Roberson, 24, and Glen McGarity, 41 – were eventually arrested and charged with murder. An integral piece of evidence came from a GPS tracker on a stolen Mitsubishi Outlander. The vehicle matched the description of the SUV seen in the footage, and investigators tracked its location around the time of the shooting. It appears the suspects had been under surveillance since February for various robberies, making them familiar faces to local law enforcement.
The Aftermath
In the hours following the shooting, police received reports of gunfire a few blocks from where Eaton’s girlfriend lived, reinforcing suspicions of the suspects’ connection to the crime. A ballistic report also confirmed a match between the shell casings found at the scene and those recovered later.
The investigation took a sharper turn when, on May 7, authorities apprehended Roberson and McGarity in connection with an aggravated robbery. The duo allegedly attempted to set the Mitsubishi on fire prior to their arrest, further indicating their desperate measures to escape justice.
A Community Mourning
This incident has left the local community shocked and mourning the loss of a vibrant young man whose life was cut short too soon. Friends and family have described Xavier as someone who brought joy to those around him. The basketball court, a place of fun and competition, has now become a harsh reminder of the violence that can erupt even in safe spaces.
As the legal proceedings develop, the families affected by this tragedy are seeking closure, while the South Side community stands in solidarity, hoping for a future where such violence becomes a distant memory. The story of Xavier Perez has not only sparked grief but has also ignited conversations about safety and the need for community support in the face of senseless violence.
In a world where tragedies like this can leave us feeling helpless, it’s essential for communities to come together, support one another, and advocate for a safer environment for our families and friends. Together, we can honor the memory of those we have lost and work towards a future where everyone can feel safe in their own neighborhoods.
