Heavyn Sanchez, mourning her son’s murder, demands city action on its unchecked operation, highlighting community risks and seeking justice.
SAN ANTONIO — Heavyn Sanchez is grieving and deeply disappointed.
Sanchez said she doesn’t know how she will cope with the loss of her son, who was murdered early Sunday morning.
And she said she doesn’t know why Jon Kross Perez was shot to death at what the city calls an unpermitted after-hours club that has been the scene of several violent acts over a span of years.
“The city should be doing something and if not the city, TABC,” Sanchez said of the club at 1670 Rigsby Avenue on the southeast side.
From the outside, what looks like a small wood-framed 1950s home has been converted into a business.
While tax appraisal records show it has a commercial zoning designation, a code compliance official said is not zoned to operate as a bar or nightclub.
After Perez was shot around 7 a.m. Sunday, police records indicate a code officer visited the site and issued one violation notice for overgrown vegetation.
A code spokesman said enforcement personnel returned with a police officer Tuesday and inspected the building.
They reported finding a setup for a makeshift entertainment venue, which included a back room with a bar where beer and liquor were visible.
The building also featured seating areas and space for a DJ.
A code spokesman said citations were issued for:
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trash and debris on the property.
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not having a certificate of occupancy.
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unpermitted use as a bar and nightclub.
A notice to disconnect utilities was issued at that time.
But Sanchez said she doesn’t understand why the location has been allowed to operate freely for years with virtually no interference from the city.
Sanchez said, “There’s multiple reports on this property. My son is not the first death on this on this specific property.”
Remembering one previous homicide and another shooting where the victim survived, Sanchez said, “This building has already been shut down before because it was an afterhours spot previously.”
“They shut it down and then somebody else reopened it and now there’s another death, the death of an innocent man!” Sanchez said.
“I don’t think that it should be legal that an afterhours spot should be open and operating to minors,” Sanchez said, adding people have been sharing social media posts with her that are full of videos taken at the location that clearly show drinking and illegal drug activities.
Sanchez said, “They do sting operations for convenience stores and liquor stores, like if the employees are selling alcohol to minors. They send in minors as bait to catch the other people that are working, seeing if they’re doing their job, so why isn’t the city of San Antonio doing their job?”
Sanchez, who said both she and her son have been active in the community with charitable works, vows she will work for justice in her son’s name.
“If anybody thought that I was just going to sit back and not let nothing like just roll over, not get justice for my son, yeah that’s not going to happen. I’m very, very active in the community. My son was active in the community. This isn’t going to just get swept under the rug,” Sanchez said.
KENS 5 reached out to the city’s Dangerous Assessment Response Team to ask if they are monitoring conditions at the address. Assistant City Attorney Eric Burns, who leads the team, replied:
“The City recognizes the serious concerns raised by recent violent incidents around the 1600 block of Rigsby and extends sympathy to those affected. The DART Unit team members assess potential nuisance properties using established criteria, and not all locations associated with criminal activity meet that standard. As a matter of practice, the City does not comment on whether a specific property is under review or may be subject to future inspection or enforcement.”
Reviewing remarks by Burns, Sanchez said, “Two people have died! A third was shot and survived! What will it take to meet the standard and see some action!”
The property is within the boundaries of City Council District 3.
Staff there said they are anxious to hear from any resident who has concerns about the parcel.
Phyllis Viagran’s staff provided the following statement on her behalf:
“I remain committed to advocating for an increase in officers and activation in the area to more effectively address and support the community’s needs.”
KENS 5 tried reaching out to the listed owner of the property, but we are still waiting for a response.
While on site Friday afternoon, a person claiming to be a relative of the owner expressed shock about the murder, saying the owner was recently released from a hospital and had no details about the most recent incident.
While the investigation continues into what kinds of activities are happening at the venue, the family of the deceased has been relying on the prayers and support of their faith community.
Lamenting his loss, Sanchez said, “He loved his family. He was always out there helping, always. Everybody, anybody. He didn’t deserve this. He didn’t.”
Of her effort to find those responsible for her son’s death Sanchez said, “I won’t stop! Justice for Kross!”