An early evening at the Freddie Benavides Sports Complex in Laredo turned chaotic on March 16 when gunfire broke out near the basketball courts, leaving one teen with minor injuries and another in handcuffs, according to police.
Officers say a 14-year-old was arrested after he allegedly fired multiple shots and then assaulted another 14-year-old near the courts. As the park quickly cleared out, officers moved to lock down the scene, identify a vehicle tied to the disturbance and track down possible suspects. The arrest and a later search warrant have now opened a wider investigation into how a dispute at a city facility escalated into gunfire.
According to MySA, officers responded to a shots-fired call at about 6:03 p.m. at the Freddy Benavides Sports Complex in the 2600 block of South Malinche Avenue. Investigators say a 14-year-old victim reported that a group approached him and that one teen fired multiple rounds before physically assaulting him.
Police recovered several handgun shell casings at the scene and deployed a drone to help locate a white Mazda SUV believed to be involved, MySA reported. Officers processed the vehicle and had it towed as evidence. Detectives later identified and detained a 14-year-old suspect, who was charged with discharging a firearm within city limits and assault causing bodily injury. After officers executed a search warrant at a residence in the 4000 block, a judge approved adding an unlawful-carrying-of-a-weapon charge. The search turned up ammunition, cell phones and a pellet gun, according to the same outlet.
The case lands amid a recent string of firearm-related incidents in Laredo. Earlier this month, officers arrested an 18-year-old after a separate shots-fired call led to a search that uncovered a loaded handgun fitted with an alleged auto-conversion device, large amounts of cash and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, as KGNS reported. That earlier bust, combined with the shooting at the sports complex, has sharpened concerns about gun activity in and around local parks.
Charges And Next Steps
The 14-year-old suspect now faces charges of discharging a firearm within city limits and assault causing bodily injury. Following the search warrant at the 4000-block residence, a judge also authorized an unlawful-carrying-of-a-weapon charge, according to MySA. Police have not released additional public details on court dates or bond.
Laredo police say the investigation is active and that detectives are continuing to review physical evidence, vehicle processing results and witness accounts tied to the shooting.
About The Sports Complex
Freddie Benavides Sports Complex is a city-run facility that features baseball fields, basketball courts and other athletic amenities. The City of Laredo’s Parks & Recreation Department lists the complex at 2603 Malinche Ave. and provides facility hours and contact information for park-related concerns. City officials have noted in public materials that the site hosts youth leagues and community events.
The latest arrest has renewed worries about safety at public recreation sites. As investigators continue to sift through evidence from the park and the search warrant, Laredo police say they plan to release more information as the case moves forward.
