News Summary
Edward ‘Ron’ Acosta, founder of the Las Palapas restaurant chain, was fatally stabbed at his home in San Antonio. The suspect, his nephew David Ruiz, fled the scene but was later apprehended. The incident has shocked the local community, as Acosta was a beloved figure known for his contributions to the area.
San Antonio, Texas – Edward “Ron” Acosta, the founder of the popular Las Palapas restaurant chain, was fatally stabbed at his home on Tuesday. The incident occurred in the late morning hours at Acosta’s residence located in the 19200 block of Reata Trail, in the Stone Oak area of San Antonio.
The suspect in the case, identified as 39-year-old David Ruiz, is the nephew of the victim. The stabbing reportedly followed a disagreement between Acosta and Ruiz. A housekeeper who was present during the altercation contacted the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD), reporting that Acosta was bleeding heavily and that she was unable to control the situation. Emergency medical responders arrived but were unable to revive Acosta, who was pronounced dead at the scene after losing a significant amount of blood in his garage.
The Police Chief of San Antonio, William McManus, classified the investigation as a “high-profile” murder case due to the prominence of the victim, a well-known figure in the local community.
Prior to the incident, Acosta had reached out to Ruiz earlier that same morning, inviting him to stay with him. Evidence from a family group chat confirmed that Ruiz arrived at Acosta’s home shortly before the stabbing occurred. Subsequently, Acosta’s son recognized Ruiz as the suspect during a single-photo lineup conducted by the authorities.
After the stabbing, Ruiz fled the scene but was located and apprehended in Kimble County, which is situated northwest of San Antonio. Law enforcement officials tracked him down while he was traveling westbound on Interstate 10 and stopped his vehicle at a truck stop. He was taken into custody without incident and is currently held in the Kimble County jail without bond, facing a charge of murder.
The Las Palapas restaurant chain, which Acosta founded and has grown to include over 20 locations primarily across San Antonio and Central Texas, released a statement expressing their profound sadness over his death. The statement highlighted Acosta’s significant contributions to the community and his character as an influential leader. Wayne Detmar, the current CEO of Las Palapas, referred to Acosta as a close friend and a vital community figure, emphasizing the positive impact he had on both the restaurant and its patrons.
The San Antonio Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the murder. Authorities have assured the public that there is no ongoing threat related to the incident. As the investigation unfolds, more details may arise, but the community mourns the loss of a beloved entrepreneur and friend.
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Additional Resources
- San Antonio Express-News
- Wikipedia: Edward “Ron” Acosta
- KSAT News
- Google Search: Las Palapas founder murder
- Fox San Antonio
- Google Scholar: Las Palapas murder case Edward Ron Acosta
- News 4 San Antonio
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Las Palapas chain
- KENS5 News
- Google News: Ron Acosta murder
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
