Family, friends mourn the loss of 16-year-old fatally shot at West Side park

Authorities are still searching for the shooting suspects

SAN ANTONIOUpdate:

We are now learning the name of the 16-year-old who was shot and killed on the city's West Side Sunday afternoon.

Family and friends say his name was Jesse Alviar, who they describe as a respectful young man. His death now has them demanding answers and change.

Jesse Alviar Senior learned the news of his son's death through a phone call. He said he hadn't seen Jessie in 13 years.

“Put it in God’s hands. How are you going to put it in God’s hands when they keep taking and taking and taking?” Alviar Senior said.

Alviar died from his gunshot wounds on a nearby basketball court at Benavides Park.

Man shot dead by family member on West Side, per SA police

Now, his father is asking when the violence will come to an end.

“What else is it going to take man until you all finally give up and say, ‘You know what? We’re tired of being scared.’”

His father says he is now living with pain, knowing he will never be reunited with his only son.

The names of the other victims have not yet been released. Officials believe their injuries were non-life threatening.

The investigation of the incident is still ongoing.

Original:

Three men were shot at Benavides Park Sunday afternoon, resulting in one death and two hospitalizations, according to San Antonio police.

The shooting happened around 2 p.m. in the 1500 block of Saltillo Street.

Authorities believe an argument broke out between two groups of young men, all believed to be between the ages of 18-21, which resulted in the shooting. However, police say they aren’t sure what exactly transpired.

Police say a 16-year-old male ran to a nearby basketball court where he later died from his injuries.

The other two victims were also shot and taken to the hospital; however, their injuries are non-life threatening, per SAPD.

SAPD: Man in critical condition after North Side shooting

As of now, officials say they don’t believe the incident was gang-related.

“We are not 100% sure, but as the detectives dig further into this case, we’ll come to a certain conclusion on that, but right now it doesn’t appear to be purely gang-related,” said Chief William McManus.

Suspects are still at large and police say they fled the scene in a four-door, silver Mitsubishi Sedan.

SAPD hasn’t released further details on the suspects at this time.

The investigation is still in its preliminary stages and we’ll bring more updates as they become available.


About the Authors:

Cody King is a digital journalist for KSAT 12. She previously worked for WICS/WRSP 20 in Springfield, Illinois.