Marisela Cadena, 43, was fatally shot on February 28, 2020, at a Subway restaurant on the Southeast Loop 410 in San Antonio and died later that day at a local hospital. She had filed a protective order against her ex-boyfriend, Andrew Munoz, two days before the shooting after a history of domestic violence that began in June 2018. Cadena ended the relationship in November 2019 but reported continued harassment and threats; on February 16, 2020, Munoz abducted her for six hours and threatened to harm her and her grandchildren.

Authorities identified 42-year-old Andrew Munoz as the suspect. Police had obtained an aggravated kidnapping arrest warrant for Munoz two days before the fatal shooting. Munoz was later found dead with a gunshot wound to the head in a wooded area near the scene two days after the shooting, which prevented investigators from questioning him about the incident.

How can communities and systems better protect people who take steps such as filing protective orders but remain at risk from an abusive partner?