SAN ANTONIO – A man was arrested Monday in connection with a Southwest Side robbery that escalated into a shootout, tragically resulting in the deaths of two teenagers, according to an arrest warrant.
Christian Nathaniel Lopez, 19, now faces serious charges, including one count of capital murder by terroristic threat and one count of tampering with physical evidence, as per Bexar County court records.
Lopez was booked into the Bexar County Adult Detention Center just after 3:15 a.m. on Tuesday, with a bond set at a staggering $850,000.
On June 23, San Antonio police responded to a shooting around 6:30 p.m. at the 9100 block of Excellence Drive, an apartment complex near Southwest Loop 410 and Old Pearsall Road. Upon arrival, officers discovered a 14-year-old boy, identified as Michael Alvarez, Jr., deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. They also found a 16-year-old suspect named Jeremiah Delgado, who was suffering from at least one gunshot wound.
The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office later confirmed that Alvarez died from two gunshot wounds—one to the head and another to the neck. Delgado, on the other hand, succumbed to a gunshot wound to the chest, with both deaths ruled as homicides.
Surveillance Footage Captures the Incident
Detectives reviewed surveillance footage from the apartment complex, revealing a vehicle’s arrival. Lopez was seen exiting the front passenger seat and approaching Alvarez. Shortly after, Delgado, armed and masked, approached Alvarez from behind. The footage suggests that Lopez and Delgado were working together to rob Alvarez.
At a critical moment, Alvarez allegedly pulled out his own gun and shot Delgado. During this exchange of gunfire, Lopez was also shot. The video showed Delgado shooting in Lopez’s direction just before Lopez reacted as if he had been hit. As Delgado fell, he fired additional rounds, which tragically struck and killed Alvarez.
After the gunfire, Lopez was observed picking up Delgado’s gun before fleeing the scene in the vehicle.
Witness Accounts and Investigations
Police later located the suspects’ vehicle at a nearby auto parts shop. They detained a male witness who had driven the vehicle and took him in for questioning. The witness revealed that Lopez had contacted him for a ride to buy THC vape pens, an indication that the situation was suspicious from the start.
At the crime scene, authorities found multiple THC vape pens on Alvarez. The witness confirmed that Delgado had entered his vehicle wearing a mask and gloves while armed. Feeling uneasy, the witness later expressed regret for not refusing to give them a ride.
When they arrived at the apartment complex, the witness instructed Delgado to exit the car near the entrance. He parked the vehicle while Lopez and Alvarez began talking, leading to the altercation and subsequent shootout.
Following the incident, Lopez allegedly ordered the witness to drive away and demanded he hang up a call to 911. The witness later reported that Lopez threatened him at gunpoint to return to the crime scene to retrieve his cellphone, which had been left behind.
Key Evidence and Arrest
Investigators found a cellphone at the crime scene, which they believe belonged to Lopez. A call to his number revealed that the phone rang at the location where it was discovered. Additionally, a relative of Lopez provided crucial information, stating that Lopez returned home with a gunshot wound and claimed he was shot while trying to buy marijuana.
Despite attempts to contact emergency services, Lopez allegedly ended the calls. The relative noted that Lopez fled the area in a white pickup truck that was unfamiliar to them just before medical personnel arrived.
As of now, Lopez is the only suspect apprehended in connection with this tragic case, which underscores the grave consequences of violence and crime among youth in our communities.
