Teen dies, Juvenile faced upgraded murder charge in connection to northeast side shooting

SAN ANTONIO — A 16-year-old who has been locked up in connection with a northeast side shooting was in court Thursday to face a more serious charge.

Because the victim has died, the teen is now looking at a murder charge.

KENS 5 reporter Sue Calberg was in court when the case moved forward.

The suspect was calm and quiet today, saying nothing, unlike a previous appearance where court personnel said he acted out.

Representatives from the state said the teen should remain locked up. A Probation Department representative said the teen remains a danger to himself or others and the prosecutor told the judge, “This is a very serious case. There is an individual who has since passed away. Charges had been filed as an aggravated assault. There is now a murder investigation that is ongoing,” adding, “A weapon was used in this case. Someone has lost their life and he needs to be detained.” 

Even his defense attorney agreed, saying the teen is probably safer if he remains in custody.

The attorney said “I am concerned about his safety.  From what I understand happened he could be in danger if he’s released.”

Both the mother and the defendant remained silent as the teen was ordered detained.

But family members of the victim say they will continue to show up at hearings and speak about a young man who they say was working on his dreams.

Family members said Anthony Simmons Junior had graduated from Sam Houston High School just 18 days before he was attacked at an apartment complex on Foster Road on June 25, where police found more than 50 shell casings littering the parking lot. 

Ten days later he died in the hospital, on July 5, one gunshot wound to the head became just too much to overcome.

His mom said he had been working even before graduation and was signed up for classes to get a commercial drivers license.

Schinna Johnson said, “He made it. He did. He was proud. He was happy. I just don’t understand it.”   

Two adults remain jailed as well. Police said they are still investigating and for now the two adults remain charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Javion Rangel and Carmelo Converse were arrested the same day the juvenile was after a standoff with police several miles from the shooting scene.

They remain jailed on bonds of $150,000. If they were to make bail, special conditions have been ordered that include not having any firearms and a no contact order for the victim’s family. There is also a provision for full house arrest with a GPS monitor.

Family members said a witness followed the suspect’s car as they sped away and eventually led police to a house where they were trying to hide.

The family said they will continue to push for justice.

“He’s not here physically but I’m being his voice. So I will always be his voice,” Johnson said. 

The teen is scheduled to be back in juvenile court August 8. 

There has been no word yet on whether prosecutors will make a move to certify him to stand trial as an adult.