Arrest records say the suspect, a California man, was invited to stay at the home before he allegedly killed Acosta and fled.
SAN ANTONIO — A California man was invited to stay at a relative’s Stone Oak home before he killed that 78-year-old family member and fled the county Tuesday morning, according to arrest records.
David Ruiz, 39, was later stopped and arrested on a Kimble County highway, authorities said. It’s believed he was trying to leave the state.
An arrest affidavit identified the victim as Edward Ronald Acosta, the Las Palapas restaurant chain founder better known in the community as Ron Acosta.
Officials are still working to determine a motive after officers responded to the 19200 block of Reata Trail around 11 a.m. for what San Antonio Police Chief William McManus called a “high-profile murder.” He said argument escalated inside the home before the suspect allegedly attacked and fatally stabbed the elderly man.
“The housekeeper called,” McManus said. “She was the other person in the house at the time. The victim lived here by himself.”
According to a preliminary police report, the housekeeper “stated there was blood all around (the victim) and she can’t control the bleeding.”
Arrest records say Ruiz first contacted Acosta’s son, who “told the suspect to come stay with him here in San Antonio.” Then, on Tuesday, “the victim called the suspect and told him to come and stay at his house.”
That plan was confirmed by investigators who reviewed family group chat messages.
“There’s no danger to the community from this event,” McManus said early Tuesday afternoon, adding Acosta lived by himself in the home.
A large group of investigators and police personnel could be seen in the area throughout the day, security tape lining the property the crime occurred in.
Authorities emphasized the information could change as the investigation evolves.