The gunshot that ended Zachary James Owens’s life tore through the quiet of the early morning on San Antonio’s West Side, leaving behind only echoes and unanswered questions. Police were called to the 5600 block of Culebra Road just before 4:30 a.m., where they found the 23-year-old lying motionless on the pavement, a fatal wound to his head leaving no chance of survival. Officers and paramedics tried to render aid, but the trauma was too extensive. He was pronounced dead at the scene—a young life extinguished in an instant.
By sunrise, the Bexar County Medical Examiner had ruled his death a homicide. Yet, as investigators canvassed the area, the details of what had happened remained elusive. Witnesses reported seeing a man dressed in dark clothing running from the area on foot moments after the gunshot. Detectives quickly began pulling surveillance footage from nearby businesses and traffic cameras,
combing through each frame in hopes of catching a glimpse of the suspect’s path. So far, no firearm has been recovered, and no arrests have been made.Neighbors described waking to the sound of a single gunshot followed by silence—a chilling stillness that lingered long after police tape cordoned off the scene. For Zachary’s family and friends, the news was incomprehensible.
He was young, full of potential, and, according to those who knew him, not someone looking for trouble. Now they’re left with heartbreak and the haunting question of *why*.The San Antonio Police Department continues to investigate, urging anyone with information to come forward. As hours turn into days, the community waits anxiously for answers and justice for a 23-year-old whose life ended far too soon on a cold stretch of Culebra Road.
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