Man sentenced to 25 years after Mother’s Day killing of 6-year-old

Andrew Elizondo was arrested May 10, 2021 for killing Saryah Perez

Moments after being sentenced to 25 years in prison for killing 6-year-old Saryah Perez in a plea agreement, Andrew Elizondo came face-to-face with her family during their victim impact statements.

“What’s the life expectancy of a child killer in prison? I’ll answer that for you since you can’t answer. Six months to a year,” Jay Alvarez, Saryah’s great uncle, said.

“I forgive you for what you did to me. I forgive you for ripping my child away, but I hope you suffer the next 25 years,” Kassandra Mendoza, Saryah’s mom, said.

Saryah was killed on Mother’s Day in 2021 after she was shot by Elizondo when he fired at the car she was in.

The shooting happened after a dispute at a car club event on SW 24th St. and W. Commerce St.

Saryah’s little brother, now 7 years old, wrote an impact statement that was read by his father Julio Garcia.

“I wish you wouldn’t have done that to my sissy, me, and mommy and daddy. I wish you have a lot of time in there because you deserve that,” Garcia read.

Elizondo stood silently, nodding as the statements were read.

As a part of his plea agreement, Elizondo owes a $5,000 fine and an additional charge he racked up while incarcerated in 2022 will be dropped.

Saryah’s family hopes people remember the girl she was and the legacy she leaves behind.

“Saryah was a lot of joy, Saryah was the inspiration of the family. Saryah is what kept people together,” Saryah’s grandma, Cynthia Alvarez, said.

While the family said this chapter is closed, they don’t actually feel closure.

During the sentencing in court, the family said over and over again that 25 years wasn’t long enough.

When Elizondo was booked in 2021, he was initially charged with capital murder, but that was reduced to murder.

Saryah’s grandmother feels the district attorney did what he could not to draw out the trial and they respect him for that.


About the Authors
Leigh Waldman headshot

Leigh Waldman is an investigative reporter at KSAT 12. She joined the station in 2021. Leigh comes to San Antonio from the Midwest after spending time at a station in Omaha, NE. After two winters there, she knew it was time to come home to Texas. When Leigh is not at work, she enjoys eating, playing with her dogs and spending time with family.

Ken Huizar headshot

Before starting at KSAT in August 2011, Ken was a news photographer at KENS. Before that he was a news photographer at KVDA TV in San Antonio. Ken graduated from San Antonio College with an associate's degree in Radio, TV and Film. Ken has won a Sun Coast Emmy and four Lone Star Emmys. Ken has been in the TV industry since 1994.

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