A 19-year-old man was arrested in connection with a fatal shooting that unfolded during a gun sale last month, San Antonio police reported. David Francisco Rebelo-Garcia is facing capital murder charges after what was meant to be a transaction turned violent, authorities stated.
According to KSAT, Rebelo-Garcia and two other individuals had allegedly conspired to steal a firearm from Steven Gagne, luring him with the pretense of a purchase. The meeting, which occurred on March 30 on the 100 block of Chaucer Avenue, ended with Gagne presenting a firearm to the suspects and, soon after, gunfire was exchanged resulting in multiple gunshot wounds to Gagne.
Police arrived at the scene to find Gagne injured in the street, where he disclosed he had been attempting to sell a gun before he was shot. He was transported to the hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries. During their investigation, authorities detained three people, including an underage boy whose name has been withheld due to his minor status. Following an interrogation, messages were uncovered from Rebelo-Garcia that indicated a planned robbery, as per law enforcement's affidavit.
In a statement obtained by KENS 5, Rebelo-Garcia was identified as a suspect after a separate incident the following night, on March 31, where police responded to reports of a shooting near South Flores Street and discovered Steven Cagney, 36, fatally wounded in a ditch. Investigators believe that, similarly, Cagney was trying to sell a firearm to some men when he was shot.
Rebelo-Garcia's involvement in the fatal events, coupled with the evidence of his intention to commit robbery, has led to his capital murder charge. He also faces an additional charge of criminal trespassing, with his bond set at $101,500. The case continues to develop as investigations proceed.
