A 44-year-old San Antonio man is behind bars after investigators say he posted a violent threat on X that singled out Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones and others, calling for the execution of “evil demons.” Officers arrested Ignacio Zuniga III on Wednesday and charged him with retaliation.
Police response
Investigators say they received a tip on Tuesday about the post, then quickly secured an arrest warrant, according to the San Antonio Express-News. Court records reviewed by the outlet show Zuniga was booked into the Bexar County jail and is being held on a $125,000 bond.
Police Chief William McManus told the San Antonio Express-News, “We take comments that threaten harm to an individual seriously and will take the necessary steps to thoroughly investigate these incidents.” It is exactly the kind of post that can turn an online rant into a criminal case in a hurry.
What was posted
According to KENS5, the comment appeared as a reply on X and read, in part, “we should be hunting these evil demons down and executing them, starting with @Mayor_GOJ.”
The post also complained about local spending and referenced voting in Bexar County. Investigators say the comment on the account drew a tip that kicked off the probe.
Not the first time
Threats against Mayor Jones on social media are not new. In August 2025 a different suspect was arrested after allegedly posting “we need to kill the mayor” during an online dispute over the Project Marvel development, according to KSAT.
That earlier arrest highlighted how San Antonio’s political fights and high-profile projects can spill over into heated, sometimes threatening, commentary in the digital arena.
Legal note
Under Texas law, obstruction or retaliation is defined in Penal Code Sec. 36.06 and can be prosecuted as a felony. Retaliation is commonly charged as a third-degree felony. The statute covers threats or harm made because of a person’s status as a public servant, and convictions can result in multi-year prison sentences, according to the Texas Penal Code.
In short, what someone fires off in a comment section can carry the same legal weight as a threat made face to face.
What comes next
Zuniga’s case remains under investigation, and court records show he is being held pending further proceedings, the Express-News reports. The San Antonio Police Department says investigators will continue working with prosecutors as the case moves forward.
