SAN ANTONIO – A Far West Bexar County family is mourning after two brothers were shot and killed outside their home in what investigators described as a random, unprovoked attack.
The shooting happened Tuesday evening on Acadian Street. Bexar County investigators said 40-year-old Daniel Antonio Perez crossed the street from his home and opened fire on the brothers.
Flowers and a wooden cross now mark the spot where 11-year-old Maliki Perales and 20-year-old Dravyn Quiroz died on Acadian Drive. Their father, Andrew Perales, said he is struggling to cope with the loss.
“I don’t know how I want to carry on. I don’t know what I’m gonna do,” Perales said.
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Perales said he had never seen Perez before, despite his family helping the neighbors. “We cut their grass, we helped take out the trash, we helped them a lot, we let them borrow tools, clean up the sidewalk. They weren’t bad people, I just never knew the dude who was there, the dude who came, like I’ve never seen him before,” he said.
Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said it was reported that Perez had mental health issues that were never reported. Salazar said Perez’s family told investigators Perez was going through depression and had started seeing things that were not there. Salazar also said Perez appeared to understand enough to try to avoid capture after the shooting.
“In my mind though, he still had the presence of mind and the capable mental state to go conceal the weapon somewhere and then go conceal himself somewhere else,” Salazar said.
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Mental health advocates said the case underscores the importance of recognizing warning signs and seeking help. Lauren Bryd, executive director of NAMI Greater San Antonio, said support and education are available for families who are concerned about a loved one.
“There are resources available that even if family members don’t necessarily know what to do if they have concerns about a loved one. There are folks they can call, and NAMI is one of those places that you can call for education and for support,” Bryd said. She also pointed to the crisis line, 988, and said NAMI offers free classes for people with mental illness and their families.
As funeral arrangements are underway, neighbors and family members are organizing a plate sale to help the Perales family with expenses.
Perez is being held at the Bexar County Jail with bond set at $2.3 million. He faces two counts of capital murder and multiple aggravated assault charges.