Fight over liquor bottle turns deadly, suspect arrested after three-month investigation

SAN ANTONIO — After a three-month investigation, authorities have arrested a man who they believe killed a man during a late-night altercation over a liquor bottle.

On Dec. 30, 2023, SAPD responded to the 714 block of Penny Stone Avenue after receiving reports of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers found a man dead at the front door to the residence with a gunshot wound to his torso.

According to the affidavit, police were able to question several witnesses about what happened as it became apparent that the incident took place at an “after party” of some sort.

With the information gathered by police at the scene, the affidavit states that the victim and his girlfriend were at the party and around 3:30 a.m., the victim and another man began to argue over a liquor bottle. The argument reportedly turned into a fist fight and the victim was escorted out of the house.

The victim tried going back into the home after he dropped some personal belongings on the way out. The man he was arguing with allegedly met him at the door and shot him.

Witnesses described which liquor bottle they were fighting over to police and it was located inside the residence during the crime scene search. CSI collected and processed the bottle.

During the course of the investigation, a finger print of the suspect was found on the liquor bottle and investigators used this information to create a photo line-up to show to witnesses.

Investigators called in two witnesses at separate times and showed them the photo line-up they had created. The affidavit states that both witnesses identified the same man as the suspect who they believe killed the victim the night of the “after party.”

After obtaining an arrest warrant, officials were able to arrest the suspect which has been identified as 27-year-old Sysco Barrientes on Saturday.

Barrientes is facing a murder charge and has a pre-hearing set for April 23.