San Marcos is reeling from a series of shootings that took place over Halloween weekend, one of which was fatal. Ronnie Hernandez Jr., 19, was killed outside a bar on Hopkins Street early Sunday morning, according to CBS Austin. In total, four separate shooting incidents within roughly 24 hours have set the city on edge, prompting a heavy law enforcement response and heightened security measures.
According to San Marcos Police Chief Stan Standridge, the weekend violence began with a drive-by shooting at Old Ranch Road 12 and Houston Street, where suspects shot into a wooded area, with a bullet striking an apartment, as FOX 7 Austin detailed. Although there were no injuries reported in the first incident, the barrage of gunfire continued later that night, culminating in Ronnie Hernandez Jr.'s death and injuries to two others. The chaos was exacerbated by the downtown nightlife, leading the police to prematurely close the bars around 1:18 a.m., roughly two hours earlier than normal.
Other shootings shortly followed, with officials from multiple agencies responding, including the Hays County Sheriff's Office and the Texas State University Police Department. At The Outpost Apartments, a fight near the pool escalated into more gun violence, leaving at least one person injured and blood trails suggesting there may have been another victim. Meanwhile, close to the initial homicide scene, 20 shell casings were recovered at the intersection of LBJ and Hutchinson streets following yet another shooting. There, "a suspect was observed fleeing the scene. Officers chased him, tased him and took custody of Eliezer Johnson Hernandez," CBS Austin conveyed Standridge's recap of the arrest.
In the search for justice for Ronnie Hernandez Jr., two suspects, both described as Black males, remain at large. One was observed wearing a black hoodie with white letters, dark pants, and dark shoes; the other was in a two-tone jacket (black over light gray), dark pants, and a beanie. A suspect vehicle, an Audi A3 linked to the downtown shooting, has been seized by police. "Video shows [one of the suspects] shooting at the group of victims. And once several fell to the ground, he then closed distance on at least two of them and shot them several more times while they lie on the ground," Standridge disclosed in a statement obtained by FOX 7 Austin. The San Marcos Police Department is urging the public to come forward with any information to come forward.
As the city works to address the surge in violence, the police force will increase its presence downtown, especially during peak social hours. "We simply did not have enough officers to effectively manage the large crime scene," Standridge expressed to CBS Austin, indicating that staffing adjustments are being made to prevent future incidents. Anyone with information regarding the shootings is encouraged to contact the San Marcos Police Department at 512-753-2108.
