In a city where the echoes of gunfire too often pierce the daily rhythm of life, the surrender of 17-year-old Andrew Cantu on October 5, 2025, marked a pivotal moment in one of San Antonio’s most haunting cases. Cantu, long sought in connection with the brutal murder of 14-year-old Simon Cuevas Jr., walked into police custody with his attorney by his side, uttering words that sent ripples through a grieving community: “I felt like I needed to do the right thing.” For Simon’s family, who had endured months of anguish, this development offered a fragile glimmer of closure amid a tragedy that exposed the raw underbelly of youth violence, school safety failures, and the relentless pursuit of justice. But as the dust settles, questions linger: Was Cantu’s voluntary turn-in a genuine act of remorse, or a calculated move to mitigate the inevitable? And with multiple suspects now in custody, will San Antonio’s justice system deliver the accountability that Simon’s loved ones so desperately seek?
The nightmare began on a seemingly ordinary afternoon, April 16, 2025, in the West Side neighborhood of San Antonio. Simon Cuevas Jr., a fresh-faced 14-year-old student at Brewer Academy—a disciplinary alternative education program under the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD)—was walking home alone after classes. The intersection of South Elmendorf Street and Merida Street, just blocks from the school, should have been a safe path for a teenager heading to the familiar comfort of home. Instead, it became the stage for a premeditated ambush that shattered lives forever.
Surveillance footage and witness accounts pieced together by investigators paint a chilling picture. A group of five juveniles—later identified as including Cantu, 18-year-old Fernando Flores, two unidentified brothers aged 14 and 16, and 20-year-old Caesar Tijerina—stalked Simon as he left campus. They had planned the attack, coordinating via messages and even using a getaway car driven unwittingly by a suspect’s mother. As Simon walked unsuspectingly, an unidentified figure in a black hoodie struck first, knocking him off balance. The others piled on, punching and kicking the defenseless boy to the ground in a frenzy of violence. Then, in a moment of unimaginable horror, one of them—believed to be Flores—pulled a handgun and fired a single shot into Simon’s abdomen. The teen lay bleeding on the pavement, his young life ebbing away as his attackers fled the scene.
San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) officers and SAISD personnel arrived swiftly, finding Simon critically wounded. He was rushed to a local hospital, but the damage was too severe; he succumbed to his injuries shortly after. The medical examiner confirmed the cause of death as a gunshot wound, turning what might have been dismissed as a schoolyard scuffle into a capital murder investigation. At the time, authorities revealed that the suspects were all in the 14-to-17 age range, fellow students or acquaintances from the alternative program, highlighting the insidious creep of violence into educational spaces meant to rehabilitate, not destroy.
Simon’s background was one of quiet resilience. Described by his mother, Alejandra Cuevas, as a “kind-hearted” boy who was “nice to everyone, respectful, and helpful,” Simon attended Brewer Academy’s alternative program, possibly due to minor disciplinary issues common in such settings. His sister echoed this sentiment, portraying him as a typical teen navigating life’s challenges, far from deserving the fate that befell him. Alejandra, working at the time of the shooting, learned of the lockdown at Brewer’s campus via her phone, only to have her worst fears confirmed through social media: her son was the victim. “I didn’t want to believe that it could be our son,” she later shared, her voice breaking with the weight of unimaginable loss. The family kept Simon’s funeral private due to safety concerns, fearing retaliation from those involved, a stark reminder of the fear gripping their community.
The immediate aftermath unleashed a torrent of grief and outrage. A makeshift memorial at the corner of South Elmendorf and Merida sprouted with crosses, flowers, stuffed animals, and messages pleading “Justice for Simon.” Parents in the neighborhood, like Priscilla, expressed shock at the lack of swift arrests, noting how the initial police activity had faded into an eerie quiet. “It’s just quiet… like as if nothing ever happened,” she lamented. By May 1, frustrated parents and supporters marched to Brewer Academy, demanding action and increased security, with some students threatening walkouts—though administrators warned of truancy penalties. The rally underscored a broader community cry: How could a group of teens execute such a planned assault mere blocks from school without intervention?
As weeks turned to months, the investigation gained traction through persistent police work and public tips. Crime Stoppers released photos and video of potential suspects in May, urging recognition. Surveillance from a school bus captured the getaway car’s license plate, leading investigators to the driver’s cooperation and the recovery of incriminating clothing from a suspect’s home. By August, breakthroughs came: Fernando Flores, 18, was arrested and charged with capital murder for allegedly firing the fatal shot. Two brothers, aged 14 and 16, were also taken into custody on capital murder charges, though theirs were later downgraded to assault causing bodily injury based on evidence review. The 16-year-old had a prior robbery charge, and the younger sibling racked up violations in detention, painting a picture of troubled youths entangled in escalating criminality.
Tragedy compounded when Caesar Tijerina, 20, another key suspect, fled to Laredo. As police closed in on August 22, he shot himself in the head in a desperate act, dying days later at University Hospital in San Antonio. Alejandra Cuevas expressed mixed relief and sorrow: “My prayers were for the capture of all the suspects, but not in this manner.” With Tijerina gone, attention turned to the remaining fugitive: Andrew Cantu.
Named a suspect on September 19, Cantu became the focus of a public manhunt. SAPD released his photo, describing his role in the planned assault. Social media buzzed with calls for tips, as posts from local news outlets amplified the plea. Then, on Sunday, October 5—early morning hours—Cantu surrendered, flanked by his attorney. Captured by News 4 San Antonio cameras, his statement hinted at internal conflict, though skeptics question its sincerity given the mounting evidence against him. He now faces capital murder charges, joining Flores in the adult system while the brothers remain detained on lesser counts.
This case lays bare systemic cracks. Brewer Academy, lacking metal detectors and relying on pat-downs, saw SAISD boost patrols post-incident, but critics argue it’s reactive, not preventive. SAISD Police Chief Johnny Reyes admitted students often “stash weapons on the path home,” a vulnerability exploited here. Gun violence among teens, fueled by easy access and unresolved conflicts, plagues San Antonio, with organizations like Big Mamma’s Safe House decrying the fear it instills. Alejandra’s plea—”They need to be held accountable”—resonates as a call for tougher interventions, from parental oversight to community programs.
Social media amplified the story, with X posts tracking developments from protests to arrests. Legal watchers speculate on trials: Cantu and Flores face severe penalties under Texas capital murder statutes for victims under 15, while charge downgrades for the brothers spark debate on juvenile justice equity. Alejandra’s hope persists: “Nothing brings my son back, but at least knowing the individuals involved are going to be held accountable.”
As San Antonio grapples with this loss, Simon’s story urges vigilance. A boy’s walk home ended in tragedy, but his memory fuels demands for safer streets and schools. With Cantu’s surrender, the path to justice brightens, yet the wounds remain raw—a testament to the human cost of unchecked youth violence.
