Young woman killed after violence erupts at overnight ‘rave,’ sheriff says

SAN ANTONIO — One woman died and a man was sent to the hospital after a gunfire broke out at an “illegal” party on the far southwest side of San Antonio early Saturday morning, according to Sheriff Javier Salazar. 

The incident occurred around 4 a.m. at an old Knights of Columbus hall in the 8000 block of Old Pearsall Road. 

Salazar says the violence unfolded at a “rave-type party” being advertised on social media. When crews arrived they found the unidentified woman in her early 20s dead at the scene; another man in his late 20s was hospitalized.  

Officials believe the gunfire stemmed from some sort of disagreement between groups of people. Nearly 20 witnesses stayed behind to speak to police, but authorities said they didn’t provide much information.  

“Just extremely frustrating that a little girl 21 years of age is now dead and nobody is able to give us enough information,” Salazar said.

Officials believe there are people who know what happened and potentially even shot video during the party; authorities are asking those people to come forward. 

“It’s pretty disturbing,” he said. “We do have information from some of the witnesses that people sat there and videotaped this little girl as she was dying taking her last breath. That’s about as cold-blooded and disturbing as you can get. This little girl is dying and gasping for air and they’re videotaping her as she’s dying.”

Officials also believe there were some type of employees at the party such as bartenders and security guards who they would also like to hear from.   

Salazar says they don’t believe the building should be occupied as officials found illegal hookups for water and electricity. 

One man was arrested on the scene due to a warrant for possession of a controlled substance and possession of handgun. Salazar said he couldn’t immediately confirm the person arrested is responsible for the shooting. 

Officials say there could be several shooters and urge anyone with information or video to contact them at 210-335-6000 or email the department at bcsotips@bexar.org.

Salazar said attending the party is not necessarily illegal, so is asking anyone who may have information or shot video during the incident to come forward.