SAN ANTONIO – Neighbors in a Northwest Side neighborhood said they are relieved after hearing about a murder arrest.
On Friday, 22-year-old Brandon James was shot and killed near a church on Culebra Road inside Loop 1604.
Jesse Salinas was arrested Thursday. He’s accused of killing James.
It’s been a tragic week for Crystal Garcia and her family after James’ life was tragically taken in her neighborhood.
“Very scary, especially in this neighborhood, because the kids all play out here together, water balloon fights, basketball. And knowing that happened, our kids haven't really gone outside since then,” she said.
During rush hour on Friday, witnesses said they saw James running through a field on Culebra, then collapsing in the median. Police said he sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
“There's chaos everywhere, cops everywhere,” Garcia remembered.
That night, a KSAT viewer sent us a video, saying they took it 30 minutes before the shooting. Two men were seen arguing near a blue Ford Ranger. Once the video went public, police said tips came pouring in, pointing to Salinas as the suspect.
Investigators confirmed it was also a KSAT viewer who eventually called in the tip the led them to Salinas.
“The community's just so involved and it's amazing,” Garcia said. “Technology today is awesome, with growth, with the time. Back then, no one could pull out a cellphone and take a video. No one could call right away.”
James’ father said James lived close to the area where he was killed. He thanked the people who sent tips over to police to help capture his son’s alleged killer.