Suspect charged in accidental fatal shooting is victim's half-brother

Aunt: 'Both of them have no life now'

SAN ANTONIO – An early morning fatal gunshot has ripped a family's world apart.

San Antonio police responded to a home in the 6200 block of Big Valley Drive at 4:47 a.m. Friday to find Zenas Farias, 15, injured in what appeared to be an accidental shooting.

The teen died less than an hour later at University Hospital.

His half-brother, Daniel Farias Jr., 20, was charged with criminally negligent homicide.

"A suspect in this case that we're calling the suspect had a loaded weapon on the couch," police spokesman Officer Doug Greene said. "When that individual went to pick up the weapon, it discharged and shot the victim."

The aftermath of one brother dead and the other behind bars has the family reeling.

"Zenas has no life, and now Daniel's not going to have a life," their aunt, Laura Gutierrez, said. "And Daniel had a family, as well, just like Zenas did."

Zenas' family remembered the happier times. His smiles and laughs.

"Every time he laughed, his smile went in his teeth," said his cousin, Angel Farias, who viewed Zenas more as a brother.

"Like that," he said, intertwining his fingers to show their bond. "Like we knew each other from the back of each other's hand. We always had each other's backs. No matter what."

Angel Farias said his cousin was a good person and supportive, too.

"He had a whole life ahead of him, and what he did as a kid. Imagine what he could have done as a man," he said.

Now what he could have been, will never come to be, and all his family has left are their memories.

"He was funny. He was crazy," Gutierrez said. "He was special, but he's not here no more."

Daniel Farias is being held in the Bexar County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

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About the Author:

Garrett Brnger is a reporter with KSAT 12.