On Feb. 21, 2023, police say Zachary Leard was shot and killed in a parking lot of an apartment complex in broad daylight.
SAN ANTONIO — Nearly three years after 31-year-old Zachary Leard was shot and killed in broad daylight, his family is finding renewed hope as police and Crime Stoppers increase efforts to solve the case.
Leard was found dead on Feb. 21, 2023, in the parking lot of an apartment complex off Vandiver Road near Eisenhauer Road.
San Antonio police say the suspect or suspects took off with his car and phone. Investigators believe Leard may have been meeting with an individual or a group of people before the shooting.
His sister, Joslin Leard, has been vocal in pushing for progress on the case.
During a June town hall with SAPD, she expressed frustration with how the investigation had been handled. Since then, she said communication and cooperation with detectives have improved, including the assignment of a new investigator to the case.
“I don’t really think I had that comfort or stability — which now I do,” she said.
This week, SAPD posted about the case on social media, and Crime Stoppers announced it is offering up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest. The Leard family has added another $2,500 to the reward.
“I know that this recent development with Crime Stoppers helping is the police’s way of telling us, ‘Hey, we are here for you,’” Joslin said.
Leard’s blue 2016 Nissan Rogue was captured on video driving northbound on Vandiver toward NE Loop 410 shortly after the shooting. A day later, the vehicle was found at the Sundance Apartments off Gardendale.
Joslin said a break in the case would bring long-awaited justice — and closure — for their family.
“I feel like we are serving a life of grief,” she said. “The least this person, or persons responsible, could do is serve a lifetime in prison.”
“My daughter doesn’t have an uncle. My mom doesn’t have a son anymore. I don’t have a brother,” she added. “It is just a tragic loss for everybody.”
Crime Stoppers is asking anyone with information to submit an anonymous tip.