San Antonio, TX – The city of San Antonio is grappling with the tragic loss of Christopher Fuentes, a 43-year-old man who was allegedly shot and killed by Franco Xavier Summers, the boyfriend of his daughter, in a harrowing confrontation outside Taco Palenque on Blanco Road near North Loop 1604 West. The incident, which took place shortly after midnight on November 9, 2024, has left a family grieving and a community shaken.
The details of the case, as gathered from police reports, eyewitness accounts, and security footage, paint a grim picture of a situation that escalated to deadly violence, resulting in the charge of murder against Summers, who is currently held at Bexar County Jail.
Timeline of the Incident:
According to the San Antonio Police Department and witness reports, the events that led to Fuentes’ tragic death began earlier that evening when he, his daughter, and Summers were reportedly socializing at a nearby bar. A dispute arose between Summers and Fuentes, heightening tensions among the trio. As the situation became tense, Fuentes and his daughter decided to leave the bar, hoping to diffuse the argument and prevent further conflict. They walked away from the bar, making their way toward Taco Palenque, located within walking distance.
However, unbeknownst to them, Summers chose to follow them in his vehicle. The scene, captured by surveillance footage, reveals how the altercation took a deadly turn when Summers, still evidently agitated from the earlier argument, confronted Fuentes and his daughter outside the restaurant.
The Shooting Incident Outside Taco Palenque:
The surveillance video, which police have obtained as evidence, shows Fuentes approaching Summers’ vehicle as it pulled up alongside him. Initially, it appeared that Fuentes intended to have a calm conversation with Summers, possibly in an effort to resolve the conflict that had begun at the bar. However, the footage reportedly shows Fuentes reaching into the car in what appears to be an attempt to grab Summers’ arm, likely to keep the situation under control or as a last-minute attempt to prevent further escalation.
In a tragic turn, Fuentes, realizing the potential danger of the confrontation, looks back and gestures to his daughter, signaling her to move away from the scene. Just moments later, gunfire erupted. According to police accounts and witness statements, Summers allegedly opened fire, shooting Fuentes multiple times at close range.
After being struck, Fuentes stumbled backward, attempting to walk away from the car. Witnesses recall him collapsing just a few steps away from where he was shot. Emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after receiving a 911 call reporting the shooting, but sadly, Fuentes was pronounced dead at the scene.
Summers, meanwhile, fled the scene in his vehicle immediately after the shooting, launching a police investigation that would eventually lead to his arrest later in the night.
Details from the Investigation:
Following the tragic event, investigators have pieced together the complex dynamics of the relationship between Summers, Fuentes, and Fuentes’ daughter. Fuentes’ daughter provided additional insights to law enforcement officials, explaining that tensions between her father and Summers had been simmering for some time. She elaborated on the dispute at the bar earlier that night, which escalated to the point that she and her father decided to leave the premises and distance themselves from Summers.
When questioned by police, the daughter shared her belief that her father’s attempt to signal her to run was a selfless act, likely intended to protect her from any harm as he tried to defuse the situation with Summers. The daughter’s account, along with the evidence gathered from the security footage, provides investigators with a clearer understanding of the tragic sequence of events that led to Fuentes’ death.
The investigation revealed that after leaving the bar, Summers trailed Fuentes and his daughter in his car, demonstrating a calculated decision to confront Fuentes despite the daughter and father’s attempts to deescalate the situation by leaving the initial location. The security footage and witness statements collectively indicate that the tragic outcome was not an isolated incident but the result of an argument that intensified over the course of the evening.
Legal Proceedings and Charges Against Franco Summers:
Following his arrest, 33-year-old Franco Xavier Summers was charged with murder, a decision underscored by the security footage that captured the events leading to Fuentes’ death. In addition to the murder charge, Summers faces additional charges, including assault and evading arrest, stemming from his attempt to flee the scene after the shooting.
As of now, Summers remains in custody at the Bexar County Jail with his bond set, and he is expected to appear in court for his initial hearing. Prosecutors with the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office are reportedly preparing to present a strong case against Summers, utilizing evidence from the security footage, witness statements, and forensic analysis conducted at the scene of the shooting. The case has drawn considerable attention from local media and the community, with many calling for justice in what they describe as a senseless act of violence.
Community and Family Response:
The tragedy has left the Fuentes family devastated. Christopher Fuentes, described by family and friends as a devoted father and a loving member of the community, is remembered for his kindness and protective nature toward his loved ones. Family members have expressed their grief over his untimely death, noting that his final act was an effort to protect his daughter from harm.
As the family prepares to lay Fuentes to rest, they have received an outpouring of support from the San Antonio community, with friends, neighbors, and colleagues coming together to honor his memory and support his grieving family. A vigil was held in Fuentes’ memory outside Taco Palenque, with community members gathering to pay their respects and to call for an end to senseless acts of violence in their city.
Local organizations focused on preventing domestic violence have also weighed in on the case, highlighting the need for conflict resolution and anger management resources in relationships to prevent similar incidents in the future. San Antonio Police Chief William McManus released a statement expressing his condolences to the Fuentes family and reaffirming the department’s commitment to conducting a thorough investigation to ensure justice is served.
Next Steps in the Case:
The case against Franco Xavier Summers is expected to proceed to trial, where the prosecution will likely argue that the evidence points to premeditated intent, given Summers’ decision to follow Fuentes and his daughter after they left the bar. Legal experts anticipate that the defense may argue for a lesser charge, potentially pointing to the confrontation as a factor. However, given the available evidence and witness accounts, prosecutors appear to have a strong case against Summers.
The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office has expressed confidence in their ability to secure a conviction, noting that the loss of life in such a tragic and preventable manner demands accountability. Summers’ defense team, meanwhile, has yet to release a public statement regarding their approach to the charges.
As the legal proceedings continue, the Fuentes family and the San Antonio community remain united in their hope for justice and healing.
