In a somber gathering illuminated by candlelight, the family and friends of Timothy Chavez, a 14-year-old killed by gunfire, convened to honor what would have been his 15th birthday. This act of remembrance took place on Wednesday, just two days after the fatal incident shook the Southeast Side community.
The vigil held at 3816 S Mittman, while simultaneously a celebration of life, became a stark symbol of the growing unease surrounding the increase in gun violence affecting increasingly younger victims. According to a FOX San Antonio report, a local woman, shaken, recounted, "I could hear his sister screaming and that has stuck with me all night long. I can hear her voice, it’s just traumatizing, you know what I mean?" This event followed closely after another 14-year-old, Augie Rangel, was killed under similar circumstances.
Timothy met his untimely death outside his family home on South Mittman Street in an incident that occurred late Monday night. Family members who witnessed the event told police that Timothy went outside when a red car approached, and shots were fired from within it. News 4 San Antonio reported neighbors hearing a car speed away post the gunfire. The young boy suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Chavez’s death remains under intensive investigation as detectives persist in their search for the shooter.
