A desperate Williamson County mother is pleading for help in the wake of her son's tragic death, as local authorities continue to hunt for the perpetrator of the fatal shooting that occurred last Friday night. Jessica Valdez, the bereaved mother of the 25-year-old victim Matthew Torres, spoke out in anguish, "You took away someone very special," citing her son's kindness and respectfulness in an interview with FOX San Antonio. Torres, whose life was cut short inside his own apartment at the Tides on Copper Creek, was described as a generous man, "very respectful, the kind of man we needed in this world."
The grim discovery of Torres' body followed a 911 call reporting the shooting at the 9800 block of Copper Creek Drive late Friday night; deputies arrived to find Torres deceased from gunshot wounds and while no immediate arrests were made at the time, the crime scene was heavily swarmed by police the following morning, with officers deploying metal detectors and shovels in a search for evidence according to CBS Austin. In their efforts to track down any potential leads or witnesses, investigators from the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office have distributed approximately 300 flyers and canvassed the apartment complex, garnering tips which have instilled confidence in a prospective resolution to this case.
Cmdr. John Foster of the Williamson County Sheriff's Office's investigation division emphasized the tragedy of the situation in statements to media, articulating the loss of a young man who was just beginning his journey in life and whose violent death does not appear to have stemmed from any mutual conflict. As the community reels from the incident, a significant reward has been offered for information that could lead to an arrest, a call to action underscored by a grieving Valdez: "Anyone who is listening, looking, if you know anything, seen anything, heard anything, know anyone, please just come forward and let someone know."
The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office has assured the public that there is no immediate danger to residents however they remain vigilant in their pursuit of justice for Torres and his family, they argue that the assistance from the community could be decisive in apprehending those responsible for the homicide. With the investigation ongoing, residents with any information are strongly encouraged to contact Williamson County Crime Stoppers at 800-253-7867 or the Crime Tip Line at 512-943-1311.
