The suspect is accused of chasing another vehicle and opening fire—striking a woman’s SUV as she drove nearby.
SAN ANTONIO — A San Antonio man is behind bars after investigators say he opened fire on a vehicle during a road rage incident, hitting the vehicle of an innocent driver who had nothing to do with the confrontation.
According to an arrest affidavit, Manuel Garza, 57, is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in connection to a March 27 shooting along the 4300 block of Talley Road.
Deputies were initially called to the scene around 10:20 a.m. after reports of a shooting involving multiple vehicles. Investigators say a dark-colored Nissan Titan was chasing a sedan while gunfire was exchanged.
During the chaos, a separate vehicle, a white SUV, was struck by a bullet.
The driver of that vehicle told deputies she believed a rock had hit her windshield at first, only to later learn she had been caught in the middle of gunfire. She was not injured.
Witnesses reported hearing three to four gunshots and described a chaotic scene involving multiple vehicles speeding through the area.
Investigators later reviewed dash camera footage, which helped identify a 2004 Nissan Titan as the suspected vehicle. The footage showed the truck chasing another car at a high rate of speed just before the shooting.
Authorities traced the truck back to Garza and located it days later at a home in Natalia, Texas. During a traffic stop and subsequent investigation, deputies say Garza admitted to having a firearm, which was later recovered inside the home.
Evidence collected during the investigation included shell casings found inside the vehicle and receipts showing the truck’s windshield had recently been replaced – matching damage seen in the incident.
According to the affidavit, witnesses also told investigators Garza had chased another vehicle after suspects allegedly stole items from his property earlier that day.
Authorities say Garza admitted to chasing the vehicle and told others “he did what he needed to do.”
Garza was arrested and also facing a tampering with evidence charge.