A late-night outing at a San Antonio hookah lounge ended in gunfire and tragedy after police say a man and woman returned to the scene and opened fire on people sitting outside, killing two.
Authorities have charged 34-year-old Joseph Amador and 35-year-old Lauren Machado-Juarez with capital murder. Both suspects are now in custody, according to the San Antonio Police Department.
The victims were identified as 27-year-old Derek Brown and 50-year-old Kyung Lee, local outlet KENS reported.
Investigators say the violence began shortly after midnight when Amador and Machado-Juarez were inside Myst Hookah + Ultra Lounge. At some point, the pair allegedly got into an argument inside the club and were escorted out by security.
Police say things escalated quickly from there.
Roughly five minutes after being kicked out, a Ford Fusion with its headlights turned off was seen driving toward the lounge. According to an arrest affidavit reviewed by local media, the car passed the building before circling back. As it lined up with the outdoor patio, the passenger allegedly leaned out and opened fire.
Witnesses told police as many as 20 shots rang out.
“As soon as I kinda walked in the door, that’s when I heard the gunshots fire,” one witness told KSAT. “I didn’t really think anything of it at first … until I looked back and saw like two bodies down. Then I actually started getting into panic mode.”
Police contend Machado-Juarez was behind the wheel while Amador was in the passenger seat during the shooting.
Investigators later tracked down the Ford Fusion and identified its owner. Two days after the shooting, detectives reportedly spotted the suspects leaving an apartment complex and getting into the same vehicle. Officers moved in and arrested both individuals. A handgun was recovered from the car, according to KENS.
Authorities also claim both suspects had outstanding warrants unrelated to the shooting at the time of their arrest.
The investigation remains ongoing as the city reels from yet another burst of violence tied to a night out that turned deadly in seconds.
Well they showed it was right to kick them out