Field behind Walmart could be path for undocumented immigrants, neighbor says

9 dead, 30 rescued from sweltering big rig trailer at San Antonio Walmart

SAN ANTONIO – A neighbor who lives behind the southwest San Antonio Walmart where nine people were found dead and 30 people were rescued from a big rig trailer says the field behind the store may be more than an empty lot.

THE WHOLE STORY:

Roger Munoz lives on the other side of the field and said he heard the police helicopter as it circled the Walmart early Sunday morning while the rescue took place.

He said the deadly human trafficking incident wasn’t shocking to him. He said he’s heard people who he thinks are undocumented in the field between his home and the Walmart.

“I know there's people back there that walk around in the nighttime, yelling at each other to come on, come on this way,” Munoz said.

Sunday’s rescue and recovery wasn’t the first time or the last time undocumented immigrants have fallen victim to smugglers.

District 4 City Councilman Rey Saldana, in whose district the Walmart sits, said people are dying to reach American soil.

“They will do anything for that opportunity, whether it means putting their life at risk or spending hours in the back of a sweaty, hot truck,” he said.

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About the Authors:

Jessie Degollado has been with KSAT since 1984. She is a general assignments reporter who covers a wide variety of stories. Raised in Laredo and as an anchor/reporter at KRGV in the Rio Grande Valley, Jessie is especially familiar with border and immigration issues. In 2007, Jessie also was inducted into the San Antonio Women's Hall of Fame.