Two Men Dead, One Injured, Teen Arrested After San Marcos Shooting

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A violent altercation in downtown San Marcos on Saturday left two men dead, one injured, and a 19-year-old man in custody, now facing capital murder charges.

Authorities later arrested Jermiah Jayden Tobias in connection with the shooting. He was taken into custody around 8 p.m. the same day and now faces two charges of capital murder and one count of aggravated assault. Capital murder charges typically apply in Texas when more than one person is killed or when the killing occurs during another felony offense.

According to the San Marcos Police Department (SMPD), the deadly incident unfolded around 1:30 a.m. at the intersection of San Antonio Street and Guadalupe Street, a busy stretch of the city’s downtown area. Officers responded to reports of gunfire and found 24-year-old Anthony Barrera fatally shot at the scene. Another victim, 20-year-old Alek Pacheco, was rushed to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

SMPD says the confrontation began as a fight between two men who were acquainted with one another. At some point during the altercation, a third individual reportedly joined in after allegedly stealing a necklace from one of the men. Tobias then became involved and fired multiple shots, resulting in the fatalities.

Unanswered Questions

One other person involved in the fight suffered a minor injury described as a graze wound. That individual was treated and released from a nearby hospital. While authorities have confirmed four people were involved in the incident, they have not disclosed which individuals were familiar with one another before the confrontation or the specific reason Tobias began shooting.

Police have not yet provided details on whether a weapon was recovered or if any additional arrests are expected. The motive behind Tobias’ decision to intervene with deadly force remains unclear.

This case has drawn attention not only for the tragic loss of two young lives but also for the quick escalation of what began as a physical altercation into a fatal shooting. The downtown location and timing of the incident, early on a weekend morning, raise concerns about public safety in popular nightlife areas.

The San Marcos Police Department is continuing its investigation and is asking the public for help. Anyone with information that could aid the investigation is urged to contact SMPD at 512-753-2108.

San Marcos, located between Austin and San Antonio, has seen a mix of college-town energy and increasing urban challenges. Incidents like this bring renewed scrutiny to how violence is addressed in downtown hotspots and how quickly disputes can turn deadly.

At this stage, officials have made no further statements regarding the backgrounds of those involved or whether surveillance footage has provided any new leads. As of now, the suspect remains in custody, and the families of Barrera and Pacheco are left grieving a senseless tragedy.

This is a developing story.