The murder charge against Tristan Lerma, tied to the shooting death of 61-year-old Michael Molina, has been dismissed in Bexar County, along with charges in related cases. A judge denied the state's request for a continuance or reset before the charges were dismissed, and Lerma was 18 years old when he was originally charged with murder.
According to KSAT, court records show the state requested the continuance or reset on October 19, but the judge denied that motion. The charges in the murder and related cases were then dismissed the following day, October 20, following what the station described as further investigation. Lerma had been accused, along with an unnamed juvenile suspect, of shooting at a home on August 30, 2023, in the 3300 block of Bob Billa Street.
Molina heard the gunfire, went outside and was shot multiple times, per the same report. Molina's grandson told investigators that he was the intended target. Hoodline previously reported that Molina, 61, died on September 8, 2023, from the injuries he sustained in that shooting.
Charges Stemmed From a String of Separate Incidents
Beyond the murder count, Lerma was also facing aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and deadly conduct charges tied to two unrelated incidents, the station's report notes. An earlier account from FOX San Antonio said Lerma had been charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, deadly conduct involving a firearm and first-degree murder. That outlet also reported that Molina and his dog were both shot outside the home on Bob Billa Street on August 30.
Lerma still faces misdemeanor charges for evading arrest dating back to 2023, even with the more serious cases now dismissed, per the same account. Investigators had worked to connect Lerma to the shooting scene in the months after Molina's death. According to Hoodline's earlier coverage, detectives identified Lerma using interviews, surveillance footage and social media content, including an Instagram video that placed him at the scene.
Prosecutors' Next Move Remains Unclear
KSAT 12 reported that the Bexar County District Attorney's Office said several key witnesses were unavailable, necessitating further investigation. The office said the case was returned to law enforcement and could be refiled if new evidence becomes available.
