Jose Ortega, 19, was fatally shot in the head on December 23, 2020, during an early-morning incident on San Antonio’s West Side. The shooting happened shortly after 2 a.m. near Remolino and Cardova streets, close to Cupples Road and San Fernando Cemetery II. Officers found Ortega with a gunshot wound to the head and an 18-year-old woman with a gunshot wound to the leg; both were taken to a local hospital, and Ortega later died.

Authorities say a 16-year-old female remained at the scene and told police the shooting was accidental. Preliminary investigation reported the teenager was handling the firearm when it discharged, striking Ortega in the head and then the 18-year-old in the leg. The 16-year-old was detained for questioning and the case remained under investigation; no public disclosure of formal charges or the investigation’s outcome has been reported. The community lit 137 candles on an online memorial in Ortega’s memory.

If anyone witnessed the incident near Remolino and Cardova that night or has information about what happened, please come forward.