SAN ANTONIO – Community members came together Sunday night in support of people experiencing homelessness after two men were killed on the Northwest Side last week.
The death of 29-year-old Darreyl Fields and 62-year-old Perry Baca were both ruled homicides after they were found dead with blunt force injuries, about a half-mile from each other, within 24 hours.
Mootual Aid, a harm-reduction organization in San Antonio, organized a vigil for the two men.
“Mr. Baca and Mr. Fields did not have to die,” organizer Molly Wright said. “I feel it’s important that we have this vigil to pay respect to the gentlemen.”
Dyvontrae Johnson said the situation hit close for him, as he also experiences homelessness.
“There are so many displaced trans, queer, black and other people in our community,” Johnson said, “that people look for sport, almost, to hunt out and do these sorts of things to.”
Johnson said he has suffered from unprovoked violence, simply for being on the street.
“Strangled me,” Johnson said. “If it weren’t for my friends and other people who had caught that incident over by Walzem and 35, I’d have died.”
People who attended the vigil want more accountability and action from leaders in the city.
“We need the City Council as a whole, with the mayor and the entire City Council to come out, come forward and tell the community of San Antonio to stop the hatred on the houseless community,” Wright said.
San Antonio police arrest man in connection to Fields’ murder, question possible connection to Baca’s death
San Antonio police arrested then-18-year-old Noah West on one charge of murder in connection to Fields’ death.
West is now 19 years old, and has been booked in the Bexar County jail.
Police said they are questioning West in connection to Baca’s death, but have not yet brought formal charges.
The department said they are not looking for any additional suspects in Baca’s death.
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