San Antonio — Josiah Cabral, a bright and curious 4-year-old who was just beginning his journey through pre-K at Steubing Elementary, died Monday afternoon after being shot inside his family’s home on the Northwest Side, leaving a neighborhood stunned and searching for answers.
The San Antonio Police Department received two frantic 911 calls around 3 p.m. on Monday from a residence in the 10000 block of Windstone Creek, near Loop 1604 and Bandera Road — one from inside the home and another from someone outside reporting a gunshot. When officers arrived, they found Josiah’s father on the floor desperately trying to perform life-saving measures on his son. Despite their swift response and the father’s efforts, Josiah was rushed to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Police Chief William McManus confirmed that only three people were inside the house at the time — Josiah and his parents — and a handgun was recovered at the scene. Neither parent has been charged, and authorities have not yet disclosed how the firearm was discharged or what led to the shooting. Both were detained and questioned by investigators, but key details about what happened remain unclear.
Josiah’s death has cast a deep shadow over his school community. Northside Independent School District officials confirmed that he was enrolled in pre-K at Steubing Elementary and described him as a part of a close-knit family of learners whose loss is being felt across classrooms and playgrounds. School leaders reached out to parents, offering grief support to help students and staff process the tragedy.
Neighbors say the quiet block has never known anything like this. One described the news as “so awful and sad,” expressing a collective hope that police will uncover exactly what happened inside the home that afternoon. Another called the incident “nerve-wracking,” reflecting a grief that’s now shared beyond the Cabral family.
As detectives continue piecing together the timeline and examining evidence, the investigation remains active. San Antonio police homicide detectives and crime scene investigators are working to determine whether the shooting was accidental or something more, but for now, officials have urged the community to hold tight for confirmed details.
In the days ahead, residents and classmates alike are left to grapple with the weight of a life taken too soon, and a family seeking clarity amid heartbreak. The community’s focus now turns to healing and understanding in the wake of a loss that has touched many across the Northwest Side.
If you want more current visual updates tied to this story, here are some of the latest relevant images from the scene:
Photos show police presence and investigation activity at the Windstone Creek home.
*(Images are displayed above.)*
