New Braunfels, TX, August 19, 2025
News Summary
A 55-year-old man named David Saldana was arrested on charges of homicide after a stabbing incident left a 52-year-old man dead outside a dance hall in New Braunfels. Witnesses reported a large disturbance in the parking lot shortly after midnight, leading to the victim, Mario Saldana, being transported to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The investigation is ongoing, and more arrests may occur as law enforcement gathers evidence.
New Braunfels. A 55-year-old man was arrested early Sunday morning and charged with homicide after a stabbing outside a dance hall left a 52-year-old man dead, authorities said. The arrest followed an investigation that involved multiple law enforcement agencies and eyewitness accounts gathered at the scene.
What happened
Police responded to a report of a large disturbance in the parking lot of the dance hall shortly after midnight. During the disturbance, one man suffered an apparent stab wound and was taken to a hospital in San Antonio, where he was later pronounced dead. Investigators collected evidence and witness statements at the scene that led to the identification of a suspect.
Arrest and charges
The suspect, identified as David Saldana, 55, of New Braunfels, was located at a residence on Gruene Road and taken into custody. He was booked into the Comal County Jail and charged with homicide. A judge set bond at $500,000. Authorities have indicated the investigation remains active and that additional arrests or charges are possible.
Victim
The victim has been identified as Mario Saldana, 52, of San Antonio. He was transported to a San Antonio hospital after the incident and was pronounced dead due to his injuries. Authorities have clarified there is no known direct relationship between the suspect and the victim as of the initial reports.
Location and response
The incident occurred in the parking lot of the venue formerly known as Legends Dance Hall, now operating as the El Flaco Event Center, located in the 5400 block of Interstate 35 South near Rusch Lane. Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including the New Braunfels Police Department, the Comal County Sheriff’s Office, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Investigation status
Investigators said they gathered evidence and witness statements that led to the suspect’s identification and arrest. The probe is ongoing; law enforcement officials have not ruled out the possibility of additional arrests or further charges. At the time of the initial reporting, authorities emphasized that details remain subject to change pending continued investigation and official filings.
Legal and public-safety notes
The suspect faces formal criminal charges, which have been filed but not adjudicated in court. The charge of homicide is a serious allegation; under the legal system the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Local residents were advised to expect continued law enforcement activity in the area while authorities pursue investigative leads.
Additional context
The venue where the stabbing occurred has been identified by name and location in public reports. The disturbance was reported as large, involving multiple people in the parking lot shortly after midnight. Beyond the immediate facts reported by law enforcement, broader motives, sequence details, and other contextual information have not been publicly confirmed.
Key facts at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | El Flaco Event Center (formerly Legends Dance Hall), 5400 block of I-35 South near Rusch Lane, New Braunfels |
| Date/Time | Shortly after midnight on Sunday (early morning) |
| Suspect | David Saldana, 55, New Braunfels — charged with homicide |
| Victim | Mario Saldana, 52, San Antonio — pronounced dead at hospital |
| Arrest location | Residence on Gruene Road, New Braunfels |
| Bond | $500,000 (set by judge) |
| Agencies involved | New Braunfels Police Department, Comal County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety |
| Investigation | Ongoing; additional arrests or charges possible |
Timeline
| Date/Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| Shortly after midnight, Sunday | Large disturbance reported in parking lot; stabbing occurred | Initial police response |
| Early morning, same day | Victim transported to San Antonio hospital | Medical transport / hospital |
| Subsequent hours, same day | Victim pronounced dead at hospital | Hospital / official report |
| Later that day | Investigators gathered evidence and witness statements; suspect identified | Police investigation |
| Same day | Suspect located at Gruene Road residence and arrested; booked into Comal County Jail | Arrest / booking records |
| Following arrest | Judge set bond at $500,000 | Court record |
What this means
For local residents, this incident highlights a serious violent crime that occurred in a public venue and resulted in a homicide charge. Expect continued police activity and possible court proceedings in the coming days and weeks. The presence of multiple responding agencies indicates a coordinated investigative effort. Important limitations: information is preliminary, charges do not equal guilt, and some details may change as the investigation continues. Community members seeking safety updates should rely on official statements from law enforcement.
FAQ
Who was arrested in connection with the stabbing?
The person arrested is David Saldana, 55, of New Braunfels. He was charged with homicide and booked into the Comal County Jail.
Who was the victim?
The victim was identified as Mario Saldana, 52, of San Antonio. He was transported to a San Antonio hospital and pronounced dead due to his injuries.
Where did the incident occur?
The stabbing occurred in the parking lot of the venue formerly known as Legends Dance Hall (now El Flaco Event Center) in the 5400 block of Interstate 35 South near Rusch Lane in New Braunfels.
When did this happen?
The incident took place shortly after midnight on Sunday during a reported large disturbance in the parking lot.
Has the suspect been booked and is there bail?
Yes. The suspect was booked into the Comal County Jail and a judge set bond at $500,000.
Is there a known relationship between the suspect and the victim?
Authorities have stated there is no known direct relationship between the suspect and the victim as of the initial reports.
Are more arrests expected?
The investigation is ongoing and authorities have said additional arrests or charges are possible as new information is developed.
Which agencies responded to the scene?
The New Braunfels Police Department, the Comal County Sheriff’s Office, and the Texas Department of Public Safety were among the agencies that responded.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Teen Charged with Capital Murder in San Antonio Shooting
New Braunfels Man Arrested for Homicide After Stabbing
San Antonio Standoff Ends with Arrests Linked to Car Burglary
Shooting Incident in San Antonio Leads to SWAT Response
Tragic Shooting at Family Gathering in San Antonio
San Antonio Investigates Death of Man Found in Street
Catastrophic Flooding in Central Texas Claims Lives
Devastating Flooding Claims Lives in Central Texas
Catastrophic Flooding Claims Lives and Traps Campers in Kerrville
Founder of Las Palapas Restaurants Fatally Stabbed
Additional Resources
- KENS 5: San Antonio Man Stabbing at New Braunfels Dance Hall
- Wikipedia: New Braunfels, Texas
- KTSA: Arrest Made in Fatal Stabbing Outside New Braunfels Dance Club
- Google Search: New Braunfels Stabbing
- News 4 San Antonio: Suspect Accused of Fatally Stabbing Man Outside Dance Hall Arrested
- Google Scholar: Stabbing Incident New Braunfels
- Express News: Stabbing Death in New Braunfels and Arrest for Homicide
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Homicide
- Express News: New Braunfels Police Stabbing Victim from San Antonio
- Google News: New Braunfels Stabbing
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.
