SAN ANTONIO – An arrest was made Tuesday in the shooting death of Amanda Acosta, 17, who was killed March 14 after leaving a West Side party.
San Antonio police arrested Julian Martinez, 18, on what would have been Acosta's 18th birthday.
Police said Acosta attended a party last Sunday night and was killed around 3:30 a.m. Monday. She was leaving the party with a group of friends after one of the friends allegedly got into a fight with Martinez. Police said the group was followed by Martinez, who fired shots at the car at the intersection of Nogalitos and Cavalier.
Acosta was shot while sitting in the back seat. Her friends rushed her to the hospital, where she died.
Investigators said people who were at the party contacted police after learning that Acosta had died, leading police to Martinez as a suspect.
Police hope the arrest can provide some comfort to Acosta's family, knowing that her alleged killer has been caught.
"This is a very sad case. She is very young, and instead of celebrating her birthday today, unfortunately her family members are enveloped with a sense that they're never going to see their loved one again," Officer Doug Greene said. "But we hope that we bring them some sort of peace with the arrest of Mr. Martinez."
Martinez, who repeatedly denied any involvement in the shooting to news cameras, is charged with one count of murder.
Investigators are working to see if anyone else will face charges.