San Antonio, August 19, 2025
News Summary
A 44-year-old man has been charged with capital murder following a late-night shooting in a west San Antonio apartment that resulted in two fatalities and a critically injured third victim. The suspect, Wilfredo Lopez, allegedly shot three individuals in the head before fleeing with three children. Local authorities have upgraded the charges against him after one of the victims, a 28-year-old woman, succumbed to her injuries. Investigations continue into the motives behind the attack and Lopez’s immigration status, as ICE seeks to detain him for further action.
San Antonio — A 44-year-old man has been charged with capital murder after a late-night shooting at a west-San Antonio apartment on August 10 that left two people dead and a third critically injured. The suspect, identified as Wilfredo Lopez, allegedly shot three people in the head and then fled the scene with three children, leaving another child behind in the apartment.
What happened
Authorities say the shooting occurred just before midnight at a residence in west San Antonio. Emergency Medical Services transported three people who had been shot in the head to a hospital. A 22-year-old man, Jose Darwin Rivera Vasquez, was pronounced dead at the hospital. Six days after the shooting, a 28-year-old woman, Anabelly Licett Vasquez, succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead. A third victim, a 21-year-old woman whose identity has not been confirmed publicly, remains in critical condition.
Charges and legal status
Local prosecutors upgraded charges against Lopez from murder to capital murder after the death of Anabelly Licett Vasquez. In addition to capital murder, Lopez faces a separate charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon related to the same incident. San Antonio police continue to investigate the motive for the shooting.
Post-arrest detention and federal involvement
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is seeking a detainer to hold Lopez in custody for an additional 48 hours following his local arrest, consistent with federal immigration procedures. ICE officials have cited concerns about public safety risks posed by individuals in the country without legal status who have criminal records and have indicated they will coordinate with local law enforcement on detention and case management.
Immigration and criminal history reported by authorities
Law enforcement and federal immigration records provided by ICE indicate Lopez is a Honduran national residing in the United States without legal authorization. According to agency records, Lopez has been removed from the U.S. three times previously for illegal entry. His prior arrests include an alleged assault in San Antonio in 2009 and a driving while intoxicated arrest in 2012. Records further indicate he was found by Border Patrol near Eagle Pass and re-entered the U.S. illegally in July 2015, and that he was deported to Honduras on August 10, 2015. It is not publicly known when he returned to the United States after that deportation.
Victim and scene details
Police reports indicate all three victims suffered gunshot wounds to the head. After the shootings, the suspect reportedly left the apartment carrying three children and left one child inside. Emergency responders took all three victims to hospital facilities, where two later died and one remains in critical condition. Investigators have not released details of a motive, and no direct statements from family members or witnesses are included here.
Investigation status and next steps
San Antonio police are leading the criminal investigation into the shooting and the circumstances that preceded it. The case has prompted coordination with ICE, which has requested a detainer and emphasized its interest in preventing public-safety threats posed by individuals with criminal histories who are not in the country legally. Prosecutors have upgraded charges to reflect the later death of one of the victims, and further criminal charges or federal immigration actions could follow as the investigation proceeds.
Key facts at a glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident date | August 10, just before midnight |
| Location | West San Antonio apartment |
| Suspect | 44-year-old Wilfredo Lopez (Honduran national, living in U.S. illegally per ICE) |
| Victims | Three shot in the head; two deceased (22-year-old Jose Darwin Rivera Vasquez and 28-year-old Anabelly Licett Vasquez), one 21-year-old in critical condition |
| Charges | Capital murder (upgraded), aggravated assault with a deadly weapon |
| Children | Suspect left scene with three children, left one child behind in apartment |
| ICE action | Requesting 48-hour detainer; cites prior removals and re-entry history |
Timeline
| Date / Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| August 10, just before midnight | Shooting at west-San Antonio apartment; three people shot in the head | San Antonio police / EMS response |
| Shortly after incident (August 10) | EMS transported victims to hospital; one victim pronounced dead at hospital (22-year-old Jose Darwin Rivera Vasquez) | Hospital / San Antonio police |
| Six days after shooting (August 16) | 28-year-old Anabelly Licett Vasquez died from injuries and was pronounced dead | Hospital / San Antonio police |
| Following second death | Charges upgraded from murder to capital murder; aggravated assault charge filed | Local prosecutors / San Antonio police |
| Post-arrest | ICE requested a 48-hour detainer; reviewed suspect immigration and removal history | U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement |
| Prior records (reported) | Arrests in 2009 (alleged assault) and 2012 (DWI); removed from U.S. three times; re-entered July 2015 near Eagle Pass; deported Aug 10, 2015 | ICE records |
Simple statistics and visual summary
The following visual bars illustrate counts related to the incident and the suspect’s reported history.
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FAQ
Who has been charged in the shooting?
The suspect charged is 44-year-old Wilfredo Lopez, who faces capital murder charges and an aggravated assault charge with a deadly weapon.
When and where did the shooting occur?
The shooting occurred just before midnight on August 10 at a west-San Antonio apartment.
Who were the victims and what are their conditions?
Three people were shot in the head. A 22-year-old man, Jose Darwin Rivera Vasquez, was pronounced dead at the hospital. A 28-year-old woman, Anabelly Licett Vasquez, died six days later. A 21-year-old woman remains in critical condition and her identity has not been publicly confirmed.
What happened to children at the scene?
After the shooting, the suspect fled the scene carrying three children and left one child behind in the apartment.
What is the suspect’s immigration history?
Authorities report that Lopez is a Honduran national in the U.S. illegally. ICE records indicate he was removed from the U.S. three times, re-entered illegally in July 2015 after being found near Eagle Pass, and was deported to Honduras on August 10, 2015. It is not known when he returned after that deportation.
Has ICE taken any action?
ICE has requested a 48-hour detainer to hold Lopez after his local arrest and cited concerns about public safety risks posed by individuals in the country illegally with criminal records.
Is the motive known?
The motive for the shooting remains under investigation by San Antonio police.
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Additional Resources
- KENS 5
- Wikipedia: Capital Murder
- KSAT News
- Google Search: San Antonio Shooting
- KTSA News
- Google Scholar: Immigration Detainer Policies
- News 4 San Antonio
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- Express News
- Google News: West San Antonio Shooting
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.
