SAN ANTONIO – A suspect accused of murder in a 2023 shooting is back in custody after Bexar County officials said he “failed to appear” for a court hearing and left Texas.
The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office said Michael Hernandez, who is charged with murder, was located and arrested last week in Oklahoma. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office told KSAT on Tuesday that the extradition process is currently underway.
“We’ve been waiting,” Linda Arzola said. “I want justice, and my family wants justice.”
Arzola’s son was Michael Ray Zepeda, who was shot and killed in this November 2023 case.
Here’s what we know happened.
The San Antonio Police Department said a caller, who was close to Zepeda, told officers her ex-boyfriend shot Zepeda and then drove away. She identified her ex-boyfriend as Hernadez.
The shooting took place at an apartment complex on the Southeast Side. That same day, investigators said they found Hernandez’s car in a nearby parking lot and saw him running. Hernandez was detained, arrested and charged with murder.
“It was the worst news that a mother could get,” Arzola said.
The district attorney’s office said Hernandez was indicted in August 2024. A spokesperson told KSAT, “There have been several reschedulings, including some at the defense’s request.”
The most recent hearing was scheduled for Feb. 23, 2026. The DA’s office said it was a pre-trial conference. A spokesperson said Hernandez “failed to appear” and that’s when the judge “issued a warrant for his arrest the following day.”
The district attorney’s office said it was not until last week that Hernandez was arrested again in connection with the warrant. A spokesperson said it happened in Love County, Oklahoma.
Online records show Hernandez is expected back in Bexar County court next week.
KSAT asked the DA’s office if Hernandez will face additional charges, and a spokesperson said, “We cannot provide any additional information or details regarding a pending case, which would include discussing any additional charges.”
KSAT tried calling Hernandez’s representation on Tuesday and left a voicemail.
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