Julie Marie Butcher, 31, was shot and killed on November 8, 2024, on the Interstate 35 southbound access road near Rittiman Road in San Antonio. Driving around 9:30 p.m., she was struck in the head; her vehicle rolled into a ditch and she was pronounced dead at the scene. She was a mother of four and the General Manager at a Papa John’s in New Braunfels.

Investigators say an eyewitness saw a small blue and silver sedan pull alongside Butcher’s car, open fire, and flee. Surveillance footage reportedly showed a matching vehicle leaving the scene. Authorities arrested 24-year-old Nicholas Hernandez on November 27, 2024, charging him with her murder. Reports say phone records placed Hernandez near the shooting, witnesses said he discussed involvement in a road rage shooting, and one witness said Hernandez asked him to discard two 9mm shell casings. Hernandez reportedly filed a robbery report about 15 hours after the killing claiming his Beretta 9mm, duffle bag and an orange Spalding basketball had been stolen; a search of his residence allegedly turned up those items.

Butcher’s family issued a statement about their loss and appreciation for the investigation’s progress as they mourn. If anyone has information about the shooting or saw a small blue and silver sedan near I-35 and Rittiman Road that night, please share what you know.