SAN ANTONIO – It has been a year since 14-year-old Simon Cuevas was tragically shot and killed while walking home from school, and his mother, Alejandra Cuevas, continues to seek justice for her son.
Simon was followed by a group of boys after leaving Brewer Academy, part of the San Antonio Independent School District, on April 16, 2025. Shortly after he left school, he lost his life.
“It’s been rough,” Alejandra shared. “It really has been, it’s been exhausting.” Her determination to find answers has not waned, despite the emotional toll this tragedy has taken on her family.
Investigators have identified five suspects in connection with Simon’s death. One of these suspects, Caesar Tijerina, died by suicide during the ongoing investigation, leaving many questions unanswered.
Two of the suspects are minors, aged 14 and 16, which limits the details available about their cases. Initially charged with capital murder, their charges were later reduced to assault causing bodily injury, a move that Alejandra finds deeply troubling.
The remaining suspects, Andrew Cantu and Fernando Flores, are facing charges of injury to a child with intent to cause bodily injury. This term particularly stings for Alejandra; “When I hear ‘injury to a child’ and my child is not even alive — it’s hard,” she expressed. “My child was only 14; he was loved, he is still loved and very missed.”
In remembrance of Simon, several mothers gathered for a balloon release, marking the one-year anniversary of his death. Sylvia Zapata, another grieving mother, voiced a sentiment many in the community share: “It’s a slap in our face, and I say our face, as a community. Most of all, what is sad is that we’re giving an impression to our younger generation that it’s OK to do these things because you have a district attorney who doesn’t care about us.”
Despite the challenges ahead, Alejandra Cuevas remains committed to attending all future court dates for Cantu and Flores, determined to see justice served for her beloved son.
