Inset left: Raymond Hernandez (Bexar County Adult Detention Center). Inset right: Leonel Chavez, Jr. (Rose Garden Funeral Home). Background: A section of the 800 block of West Baetz Boulevard in San Antonio, Texas (Google Maps).
In Texas, a man has received his sentence for fatally shooting a tattoo artist during a heated exchange and leaving the scene with the firearm.
Raymond Hernandez, aged 33, was handed a 45-year prison term by Judge Jennifer Pena of the 290th Criminal District Court, as announced by the Bexar County Criminal District Attorney’s Office.
Hernandez was convicted of first-degree murder for the killing of 46-year-old Leonel Chavez, Jr., which occurred several years ago.
On April 2, 2021, Chavez was at a friend’s residence on the 800 block of West Baetz Boulevard in San Antonio, working on a tattoo for someone at the time.
Hernandez was present at the location as well, and according to the District Attorney’s Office, a dispute erupted between him and Chavez. During the altercation, Hernandez reportedly drew a gun and shot Chavez.
A witness recounted hearing the gunfire, seeing Chavez collapse from his wounds, and confronting Hernandez before reporting the incident. Hernandez fled the area, and surveillance footage captured him less than a mile away, still in possession of the weapon.
Hernandez was arrested. On the day in question, he had also been at the residence to get a tattoo when he killed Chavez, according to San Antonio ABC affiliate KSAT.
The district attorney celebrated the guilty verdict.
“Today’s conviction and sentencing uphold our commitment to holding offenders accountable and reassure our community that we will continue to work diligently to protect and serve,” Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales said.
