Early Saturday morning, a quiet industrial yard on the 4400-block of Stahl Road in San Antonio’s northeast side erupted into heartbreak. At about 7:45 a.m., employees of Mission Landscape Supplies were confronted by a wave of gunfire. By the time police arrived, three lives were ended, and a community left reeling.
The victims were later identified as 48-year-old Selvin Chacon, 38-year-old Sergio Chacon, and 24-year-old Karen Bautista — all employees at the business. According to the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD), the shooter was also an employee at Mission Landscape: 21-year-old Jose David Hernandez Galo (also reported simply as Jose Hernandez).
Investigators say Hernandez Galo arrived at work and opened fire on his coworkers before turning the gun on himself. He was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a manhunt that extended for hours. SAPD Chief William McManus emphasized the attack was not random, but a motive has not yet been confirmed.
In a statement released Wednesday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed Hernandez Galo entered the United States illegally on April 16, 2019, with his family as a minor. He and his family unit were served a Notice to Appear before an immigration judge at the time. ICE added that the family stopped reporting to the agency in July 2022 under the policies of the current administration. ICE’s statement called the shooting “a senseless tragedy that could have been prevented.” The agency noted it regarded Hernandez Galo and his family as non-priority under existing immigration enforcement frameworks.
The impact on the victims’ families is immense. The three killed were all Honduran nationals and leave behind children and loved ones trying to make sense of sudden loss. A former coworker has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help support these families as they begin to navigate grief and financial uncertainty. (Original reporting)
As the investigation continues, SAPD is examining every piece of evidence to trace what led up to the violence. Local residents and former coworkers say the business was usually peaceful, making this weekend’s eruption all the more shocking. With the suspect now dead, many questions remain unanswered: Why did he act? Was there an internal dispute? What signs might have gone unnoticed?
In the broader context, the shooting has reignited debate around workplace violence and immigration enforcement — a rare instance where both issues intersect so tragically. Meanwhile the San Antonio community mourns three lives cut short and searches for closure.
