In the early hours of Saturday morning, tragedy struck outside a Taco Palenque restaurant in San Antonio, Texas, when a confrontation between Franco Xavier Summers, 28, and Christopher Fuentes, 52, escalated into a fatal shooting. Summers, who was dating Fuentes’ daughter, is accused of taking Fuentes’ life in a tense and dramatic altercation, leaving the local community in shock. The incident occurred in the parking lot of the Taco Palenque on Blanco Road, near Loop 1604 West. The San Antonio Police Department has since launched an intensive investigation and search for Summers, who fled the scene immediately after the shooting.
The deadly encounter reportedly began earlier in the evening at a nearby bar where Fuentes, his daughter, and her boyfriend, Summers, had gathered. Though the evening was meant to be an opportunity to spend time together, it quickly unraveled into a heated exchange between Fuentes and Summers. Witnesses recount that the father and boyfriend’s interactions grew increasingly hostile, raising tensions and leading Fuentes and his daughter to leave the bar and head over to the Taco Palenque, hoping to defuse the situation. However, Summers, undeterred, followed them to the restaurant parking lot, where he resumed the confrontation with Fuentes.
According to witnesses and police accounts, the argument continued to escalate once Summers arrived at the parking lot. Surveillance footage from nearby cameras shows Fuentes and his daughter walking through the lot as Summers’ vehicle pulled up, seemingly in pursuit of Fuentes. Police believe that Fuentes, likely feeling both protective and threatened, approached the car to confront Summers directly. At this critical moment, however, the argument turned deadly. Summers reportedly drew a firearm, and, in a matter of seconds, fired multiple shots at Fuentes.
Eyewitnesses describe the incident as shockingly abrupt. Some reported hearing raised voices and then the sharp, unmistakable sound of gunfire cutting through the early morning quiet. “I just heard a lot of shouting, then a few pops, and people started running and screaming,” recalled one witness who was in the restaurant at the time. “It all happened so fast.” Several patrons who witnessed the shooting dialed 911 immediately, while others tried to render aid to Fuentes as he lay on the ground. Emergency medical personnel arrived on the scene within minutes, but tragically, Fuentes was pronounced dead upon their arrival.
The San Antonio Police Department swiftly responded to the scene and began their investigation. Officers worked to gather accounts from witnesses and reviewed surveillance footage from the restaurant’s cameras. The footage confirmed that Summers had fled the scene in his vehicle immediately after the shooting. Law enforcement quickly identified him as the primary suspect, issuing a citywide alert and asking the public for any information on Summers’ whereabouts.
Summers’ vehicle, a silver sedan, was last seen heading west on Loop 1604, leading investigators to believe he might have fled toward the outer areas of San Antonio. By Saturday morning, the San Antonio Police Department had initiated a full-scale search for him, mobilizing resources and working closely with neighboring jurisdictions. The Texas Department of Public Safety and other agencies are aiding in the search, and officials have urged the public to stay alert but not to approach Summers if spotted, as he is considered potentially armed and dangerous.
In their appeals to the public, law enforcement officials have emphasized the importance of community cooperation in helping to locate and apprehend Summers. “We need everyone’s help right now,” said San Antonio Police Chief William McManus at a press briefing on Saturday morning. “If anyone knows where Franco Summers is or sees anything suspicious, please contact us immediately. This is a tragedy that has rocked this community, and we are committed to bringing him to justice.”
While officials have not yet released a complete background profile on Summers, early reports indicate that he has no prior record of violent crime. However, family members of Fuentes and his daughter have since come forward, describing a relationship between Summers and Fuentes that had been strained for some time. Relatives report that the two had clashed on multiple occasions over various issues, particularly over what they describe as Summers’ controlling and volatile behavior towards his girlfriend. Fuentes’ family has expressed shock and devastation over his death, remembering him as a devoted father and hard-working man who valued his family above all else.
“He was my best friend,” said Fuentes’ daughter in a written statement released through her family. “He was always there for me, no matter what. This shouldn’t have happened. I can’t believe he’s gone.” Other family members echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the profound void his death has left in their lives.
The community has also expressed shock and sorrow over the incident. Friends, coworkers, and neighbors of Fuentes gathered for an impromptu candlelight vigil outside Taco Palenque on Saturday evening, lighting candles and sharing memories of him. Many described him as a kind, generous, and dependable man who was known for his sense of humor and his unwavering love for his family. The vigil became a gathering place for grief and support as friends and family paid their respects to Fuentes, praying for justice and comfort during this difficult time.
Local leaders and advocacy groups have also voiced their condolences and concerns. The tragic case has prompted discussions about the need for greater resources and support systems to address domestic conflict and prevent violence. “This is a heartbreaking reminder of the importance of addressing conflicts before they escalate into tragedy,” said Anna Rodriguez, director of the San Antonio Coalition for Family Peace. “We need to provide resources to families and individuals, especially when there are signs of strained relationships that may have potential for violence.”
San Antonio Police have assured the community that they are fully committed to locating Summers and bringing closure to Fuentes’ grieving family. In addition to issuing a search warrant for Summers’ home and conducting interviews with his acquaintances, authorities are also examining any prior interactions he may have had with law enforcement that could shed light on his current mental and emotional state. The investigation remains ongoing, with the primary objective being to locate Summers and understand the circumstances that led to this fatal confrontation.
As of now, Summers remains at large. The San Antonio Police Department continues to encourage anyone with information to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously, and there is a possibility of a reward for information that leads to Summers’ apprehension.
The tragic events of that early Saturday morning have left a lasting mark on the San Antonio community, with many residents rallying around Fuentes’ family to offer support and express their hopes for justice. The close-knit neighborhood has pledged to stand by the family and ensure that Fuentes’ memory is honored in the days and weeks ahead.
For now, the city remains on high alert, and the San Antonio Police Department continues to pursue every lead in the search for Franco Xavier Summers, determined to bring this case to a just resolution. As they work tirelessly to apprehend him, the community grieves a profound loss while hoping for the swift and safe resolution of this tragic situation.
