A week after the fatal shooting of 14-year-old Simon Cuevas, police have yet to announce major progress towards finding the gunman.
SAN ANTONIO — Wednesday marks one week since a 14-year-old boy was ambushed and shot dead in west San Antonio.
Simon Cuevas was walking home from school when police say at least seven other teens ambushed. One of those teens, authorities say, pulled out a gun and fired the fatal shot at Simon.
Police had said they were all students at the nearby Brewer Academy, just a block away from where Simon was shot. But, a week later and despite an optimistic message from Police Chief William McManus, no arrests have been made thus far.
Simon Cuevas’ memorial is full of love and mourning and one week from his death, there is still no one held accountable.
Big Mamma’s Safe House, an organization that works to fight back against gun violence, is sharing Simon’s death is affecting the community.
“It’s fear, like our kids don’t want to go to school,” said Rosemary Williams, the nonprofit’s executive director.
Especially when one of their own is gunned down just down the street from campus.
Williams says a community is forever changed in the aftermath of the killing.
“Whether it’s Brewer or another school that’s common… they’re not going to school because what if their child’s next?” said Williams.
San Antonio ISD told KENS 5 in a statement Wednesday that its police presence at the school has been increased, while the San Antonio Police Department has also increased patrols in the area.
Williams has one message for them all.
“Everyone has a story, so there is an opportunity to change. You could be the change starting today. You could do that. Whatever you’ve gone through, that does not identify you,” she said.
For anyone seeking help during this time, Williams says there are resources available.
“We have mental health counseling but we must continue to address the root cause of this violence. This opportunity tomorrow, we must not forget the names of those children,” she said.
Come Thursday, Simon’s name will be woven with the Faces Not Forgotten event at the Whitley Center to highlight the violence that’s come to so many lives. If you have any information that would help lead to an arrest, you are asked to call SAPD at (210) 207-7273.