Information sought in 2011 slaying of man in club parking lot

Jose Zamora, 20, was killed in 900 block of East Bitters Road

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio police and Crime Stoppers are asking for the public's help in solving a 2011 murder.

Jose Zamora, 20, was killed Sept. 18, 2011, around 2:20 a.m. in the parking lot of the Mink Ultra Lounge in the 900 block of East Bitters Road. According to police, Zamora and a friend were leaving the club when they were fired upon by someone in the parking lot after an argument over a woman. 

Zamora was taken by friends to Christus Santa Rosa Hospital and transferred to San Antonio Military Medical Center, where he later died.

His younger sister, Crystal Zamora, said the family hasn't been the same since the slaying.

"And it's like we're not all together. Everyone does their own thing now. It's just, like, not -- we still come together as a family when needed, but it's just -- we still miss his spirit," she said.

Police made an arrest in 2013 based on information from someone claiming to be an eyewitness, a San Antonio Police Department spokeswoman said. Others came forward, however, and confirmed they had been in an altercation with Zamora but had left before the shooting occurred.

"Based on their information and what was later believed to be a faulty eyewitness identification, the investigator notified the DA's Office and requested that (the arrested man) be released and the charges dropped," the Police Department spokeswoman wrote in an email.

"As soon as they arrested him, my mom was happy," Zamora said. "But then, for it to turn out that it wasn't him, it was really heartbreaking, as well."

Zamora said she still hasn't fully accepted her brother's loss.

"I still picture him out of town. It hasn't hit me that it's real. And it's, just like, for me, one day he'll walk in the house and be, like, 'I'm home,'" Zamora said.

Zamora said seeing whoever is responsible caught could bring her closure and she hasn't stopped hoping for someone to come forward.

"This was an innocent life," Zamora said. "And just, for us, like, we need closure, as well. It's not fair for us to have lost him for good."

Investigators believe several witnesses have not come forward with information. Those people may know the identity of the two men responsible, as well as the getaway vehicle used.

Anyone with any knowledge of the incident is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 210-224-STOP (7867).

Tips can also be texted to CRIMES (274637) or by visiting the Crime Stoppers website.

Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest. 


About the Authors:

Ben Spicer is a digital journalist who works the early morning shift for KSAT.

Garrett Brnger is a reporter with KSAT 12.