SAN ANTONIO – Edward “Ron” Acosta, the founder of San Antonio-based Las Palapas restaurants, was fatally stabbed by a family member at a home on the North Side, sources told KSAT on Tuesday.
Multiple sources familiar with the investigation said Acosta is the victim. Public records show that Acosta owns the home where the murder happened, and is the same age as the victim.
Police said a 78-year-old man was found dead on Tuesday at a home in the 19200 block of Reata Trail in the Stone Oak area. The home is located near Blanco Road outside Loop 1604.
During a Tuesday afternoon news conference, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said they were working a “high-profile” murder. He said the victim and a family member were involved in an argument or altercation, which may have led to the stabbing.
KSAT Investigates also obtained an arrest warrant for Acosta’s suspected killer on Tuesday evening. The document identified the suspect as David Ruiz, 39.
According to the affidavit, Ruiz, who lives in Whittier, California, was driving to San Antonio and contacted Acosta’s son on Monday. The son offered for Ruiz to come and stay with him and his father.
Later Monday, Ruiz called Acosta’s son and told him that he was “two hours away” and elected to stay the night at a different, unspecified location, documents show.
According to the affidavit, Acosta himself called Ruiz on Tuesday morning and asked Ruiz to come stay at his home. Records reference a “family group chat,” indicating Acosta texted the group that Ruiz had officially arrived at his home.
Acosta also told the group chat about his plan for him and Ruiz to meet up with other relatives at a later time, the affidavit states.
After the deadly stabbing, SAPD said Acosta’s son identified Ruiz as the suspect in a single-photo lineup. Acosta’s son also gave officers a description of Ruiz’s vehicle.
Deputies in Kimble County told San Antonio police that they spotted Ruiz in his vehicle “a few hours” after the deadly stabbing. Ruiz has since been detained in Kimble County and formally charged with murder.
According to McManus, a housekeeper inside Acosta’s home called SAPD.
McManus said the suspect, later identified as Ruiz, fled the home before he was detained in Kimble County during the 11 a.m. hour.
There is no current danger to the public, the chief said.
Acosta founded Las Palapas back in 1981. The restaurant’s website shows that there are 24 locations throughout the San Antonio area.
His wife, Elssy Ester Acosta, died from cancer in 2010 at 49 years old.
This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.
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