Anthony Barrera, 24, was killed in downtown San Marcos, Texas, in the early morning hours of July 19, 2025. Police say the violence began around 1:30 a.m. near the intersection of San Antonio and Guadalupe Streets, a nightlife area known as The Square. Responding officers found Barrera mortally wounded; he was pronounced dead at the scene by the Hays County Justice of the Peace. A second victim, 20-year-old Alek Pacheco, was also shot and later died, and a third person was grazed by a bullet and released after treatment.

Investigators describe a chaotic altercation that started as a fight between two men who knew each other and escalated after a third man joined in following an alleged necklace theft. Police say multiple shots were fired during the melee; both Barrera and Pacheco sustained gunshot wounds to the head and authorities reported eight rounds were fired. By the evening of July 19, officers arrested 19-year-old Jermiah Jayden Tobias on two counts of capital murder and aggravated assault. Detectives later announced a second suspect, 19-year-old Avery Saul Bowman Jr., who was taken into custody and could face capital murder charges tied to the alleged robbery. Barrera’s family has publicly mourned and called for accountability as investigators sought photos, video and witnesses, crediting community tips and Crime Stoppers for helping identify the second suspect.

If anyone witnessed the fight or has video from The Square that night, law enforcement wants to hear from you.