Cibolo man charged in fatal beating at Amtrak station

Michael Joseph Fobbs, 21, charged with murder of Marble Falls man

SAN ANTONIO – Cibolo resident Michael Joseph Fobbs, 21, remains in jail after allegedly beating another man to death at the Amtrak station in downtown San Antonio.

The medical examiner released the name of victim on Tuesday morning.

He's identified as Joseph Keith Richard of Marble Falls. Richard was three days shy of his 57th birthday when he was killed late last Thursday night.

A report from San Antonio police stated that witnesses noticed Fobbs pacing angrily, and going in and out of the building in the 300 block of Hoefgen Street.

They told police that Fobbs suddenly launched an unprovoked attack on Richard, who was sitting on a bench outside the station's waiting room, the report stated.

Witnesses said Fobbs repeatedly hit Richard with his fists, leaving him bloodied.

The incident was caught on the station's surveillance camera.

Witnesses told police after the attack,  Fobbs calmly walked into a restroom and changed his bloody shirt.

Officers arrived later and arrested him.  

Meanwhile, Richard died of his injuries at the scene. 

In the report, an officer said Fobbs "did not appear to be in a normal state of mind."

None of what happened makes sense to Jessie Blackwell, a longtime neighbor of Fobbs.

"No trouble whatsoever out of this kid. He was a good kid," Blackwell said. "I saw him the week before last and he was fine. But I haven't seen any indication of him snapping like that."

Blackwell said he considers Fobbs, who stands about 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs more than 250 pounds, to be a "gentle giant."

He said his towering neighbor seemed "respectful" and was always willing to help out.

Fobbs is facing a murder charge. He's being held in the Bexar County jail with bond set at $150,000.


About the Author:

Katrina Webber joined KSAT 12 in December 2009. She reports for Good Morning San Antonio. Katrina was born and raised in Queens, NY, but after living in Gulf Coast states for the past decade, she feels right at home in Texas. It's not unusual to find her singing karaoke or leading a song with her church choir when she's not on-air.